September 2026 Indiana Connection

SEPTEMBER 2026

From the GROUND UP HARRISON COUNTY’S LOCAL FOOD SCENE IS UNITING THE COMMUNITY AND FUELING A MOVEMENT

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FROM THE EDITOR

INDIANA CONNECTION

VOLUME 76 | NUMBER 2 ISSN 0745-4651 | USPS 262-340 Published monthly by

INDIANA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES Indiana Connection is for and about members of Indiana’s locally-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperatives. It helps consumers use electricity safely and efficiently; understand energy issues; connect with their co-op; and celebrate life in Indiana. Over 300,000 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 St., Carmel, IN 46032 317-487-2220 | info@indianaconnection.org IndianaConnection.org

INDIANA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES OFFICERS Dr. Richard Leeper President Jamey Marcum Vice President Melissa Menchhofer Secretary/Treasurer John Cassady CEO

EDITORIAL STAFF Britt Davis Editor Mandy Barth Vice President of Communication and Member Engagement Lauren Carman Director of Events, Engagement, and Communication Ashley Curry Production and Design Coordinator Holly Huffman Communication Support Specialist Amber Knight Creative Manager Kiley Lipps Graphic Designer

A delicious legacy n July, Indiana Connection

I

What struck me most was how these

celebrated its 75th anniversary.

recipes showcase the shared history

The magazine, originally titled

and community of Indiana’s electric

Indiana Rural News, was founded

co-ops. They reflect the era in which

in 1951 to help electric cooperatives

they were published and offer a

connect with their members

glimpse into what Indiana was like at

and keep them informed.

the time. I thought about the many

As I thought about how to commemorate this milestone anniversary, I kept coming back to our readers and what they always

readers from across the state who took the time to submit their recipes, and now those recipes continue to create connections many years later.

tell me they enjoy most about the

The cookbook is now

magazine — the recipes. Whenever I

available for pre-order

meet an Indiana Connection reader,

at goiec.org/cookbook,

nine times out of 10, they tell me

or you can send a check

how much they love the recipes.

for $16 per cookbook

To celebrate our anniversary, we have created an Indiana Connection cookbook featuring more than 200 recipes spanning all eight decades of

COOPERATIVE

COOKING Celebrating 75 Years of Indiana Connection Recipes

to 11805 Pennsylvania Street, Carmel, IN 46032. Please include your name, address, and co-op.

the magazine. This project was a labor

I’m so proud to carry on the

of love for me. Going back through

legacy of Indiana Connection,

the archives, especially our issues

and I hope this cookbook fosters

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

from the 50s and 60s, was a real

even more connections with our

treat. It took longer than anticipated

readers for years to come.

SUBSCRIPTIONS

articles and photos from years past.

UNSOLICITED MATERIAL

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

because I kept getting distracted by

BRITT DAVIS | editor bdavis@indianaec.org

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 11805 Pennsylvania St., Carmel, IN 46032 Include key number.

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

We want to hear from you EMAIL: info@indianaconnection.org WEB: indianaconnection.org (fill out forms) MAIL: 11805 Pennsylvania St., Carmel, IN 46032 ON THE MENU: Submit your favorite Christmas cookie recipes, deadline Oct. 1.

If we publish your recipe on our food pages, we’ll send you a $10 gift card.

GIVEAWAY: Enter to win a family pass for two adults and two children, courtesy

of Exploration Acres. Visit indianaconnection.org/talk-to-us/contests or send your contact information to our office address. The deadline to enter is Sept. 30.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA SEPTEMBER 2026 3

INDIANA CONNECTION CONTENTS

SEPTEMBER

17 FEATURE

12 CITIES 03 FROM THE EDITOR 05 C0-OP NEWS Energy news and information from your electric cooperative

09 SAFETY Farmers must consider power line safety during harvest season

10 ENERGY How teens can reduce

14 FOOD 13 EVENTS CALENDAR Your guide to festivals and fun around Indiana

4 SEPTEMBER 2026

fun for the whole family

for fall gatherings

(Not in all editions)

17 FEATURE STORY

23 BACKYARD

Southern Indiana’s local food scene is fueling a movement

SEPTEMBER 2026

food with a hometown feel

Evansville

Exploration Acres offers fall

Cozy apple desserts perfect

11 INDIANA EATS

12 CITIES

21 HOOSIER ENERGY/ WABASH VALLEY NEWS 22 TRAVEL

14 FOOD

energy use to save

Cranberries serves global comfort

22 TRAVEL

From the GROUND UP HARRISON COUNTY’S LOCAL FOOD SCENE IS UNITING THE COMMUNITY AND FUELING A MOVEMENT

Essential cool-season veggies to plant this fall (Not in all editions)

ON THE COVER: Isabelle and Isaac de Krieger pose with some of the organically grown vegetables on their homestead, Singing Trees Keep, in Harrison County. Their mother, Angela de Krieger, advocates for small farms and businesses that help feed their communities. Learn more in this month’s feature story.

(Photo courtesy of Angela de Krieger)

companions

BY JULIE YOUNG

W

hether they have fur, feathers, fins, or scales, Americans love

their pets, and most pet owners consider their animals to be important members of the family.

It’s easy to see why. In addition to meeting a fundamental need to nurture another living creature, pets provide profound mental, physical, and social benefits to their human counterparts. They offer companionship, unconditional love, and nonjudgmental support while also helping to lower stress, increase oxytocin levels (the “love” hormone), combat isolation, and teach valuable life skills.

Although they require a significant investment of both time and money and cause considerable wear and tear on a home, pet lovers wouldn’t have it any other way. While the choice of pet may vary depending on personal preference, cultural background, daily routine, and budget, there is a pet for every age and stage of life.

SEPTEMBER 2026 5

INDIANA CONNECTION LIVING

Beloved

INDIANA CONNECTION LIVING

First friends

BY JULIE YOUNG

CHOOSING THE PERFECT FIRST PET FOR YOUR CHILD

A

t some point, most children express a desire to care for

a pet. Although they promise to feed, water, and play with the proposed animal, a pet is a big responsibility, and it’s important to make this step a positive experience for everyone involved.

AGE APPROPRIATE Experts say it is important to consider the child’s age and ability to handle simple chores without adult supervision. Are you willing to pick up the slack for the duties they cannot perform?

Does your child treat animals with respect and care? If the answer is yes, it may be time to introduce them to their first pet.

CONSIDER WHICH ANIMAL Next, it’s important to choose the right pet for your child. While it may be tempting to bring home a puppy or a kitten, these animals require significant daily care and are better suited to the whole family. A beta fish can be a great choice for the youngest pet owners, who may enjoy observing and feeding an animal that does not require much upkeep. A low-maintenance pet such as a hermit crab, small lizard, or rodent (including gerbils, hamsters, and mice) is a great “first pet” option because it can withstand some handling without the need for long walks and extensive grooming.

6 SEPTEMBER 2026

If your child is not quite ready

and enjoy human interaction

for a dog or cat, consider a guinea

(especially hide-and-seek). They

pig. Often overlooked, these

also provide excellent practice in

larger rodents make great first

responsible pet ownership and

pets for school-aged children.

offer a preview of what it might

They are not prone to biting,

be like when it’s time to consider

have adorable personalities,

a bigger pet down the road.

FOSTERING CAN BE A REWARDING EXPERIENCE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

BY JULIE YOUNG

to temporarily care for an animal

from a few weeks to a few months,

F

(including medical treatments),

but the exact duration depends

others require foster families to

largely on the animal’s age, health,

contribute some of their own

and whether it’s a short-term

socialization but also frees up

resources as well. Be sure to

or long-term arrangement.

ostering an animal not only provides a safe,

loving environment for shelter space and allows you to enjoy the companionship of a new friend without the

understand all your responsibilities before filling out an application, and if you’re unsure about

While the purpose of fostering a pet is to provide a safe home for an animal until it’s ready for

permanent commitment.

anything, don’t hesitate to ask.

GETTING STARTED

MAKING A MATCH

the foster arrangement “fails,”

Once the shelter receives your

and the family decides to adopt

application and learns more about

their temporary houseguest.

your living situation, the number

In many cases, shelters offer

of pets you currently have, and

their foster families the first

your experience level, they will

chance to adopt their foster

help match you with a pet. The

pet, which leads to a happy

typical fostering agreement lasts

ending for everyone involved.

After deciding on the type of animal you’re interested in fostering, research local shelters that offer fostering programs to learn about their policies and practices. While some shelters provide all the supplies needed

its forever family, sometimes

SEPTEMBER 2026 7

INDIANA CONNECTION LIVING

A temporary home, a lifelong impact

INDIANA CONNECTION LIVING

Pampered PETS

BY JULIE YOUNG

THE HIGH-TECH, PERSONALIZED TRENDS REDEFINING PET CARE

A

ccording to the American

cameras. These devices allow pet

needs. There is also a growing

Pet Products Association, 95

parents with busy work schedules

trend toward prioritizing a pet’s

million American households

to automate daily care, ensure

mental and emotional wellness.

own at least one pet, and they

animal safety, and monitor a

Like humans, pets can experience

are projected to spend $165

beloved family member remotely.

anxiety, stress, and depression,

billion on those companions in 2026, including food, supplies, veterinary care, grooming, and other services. This investment in pet care is driving new trends.

IMPROVED NUTRITION Because one size does not fit all, pet owners are also turning to

and the right supplements, enrichment activities, and counseling can make a difference.

customized nutrition plans, DNA

A PET-FRIENDLY WORLD

testing, and telehealth options

There has also been an uptick

HIGH-TECH DEVICES

for their pets. These personalized

in pet-friendly public spaces,

High-tech pet gadgets are all the

solutions not only give pet owners

restaurants, workplaces, and

rage, including smart collars and

better insight into what makes

other businesses, and experts

trackers, automated feeders and

their animals tick but also allow

believe this trend will continue

water fountains, and interactive pet

them to cater to those individual

in the coming years. The rise of pet-centric culture has prompted organizations to revisit their pet policies and recognize the “pawsitive” impact animals have on the environment.

When a business welcomes pets, it differentiates itself from the competition, encourages socialization among humans and pets, earns customer loyalty, and ultimately boosts the bottom line.

By staying up to date on the latest trends in the ever-evolving world of pet care, owners can keep their pampered pets happy and healthy for years to come.

8 SEPTEMBER 2026

F

arm equipment and machinery

lines can sag, especially in hot

can enhance safety by providing an

encountering power lines is

weather. Maintain a minimum

extra set of eyes.

a leading cause of injury among

clearance of 10 feet from all power

farmers. As harvest season

lines and poles.

approaches in Indiana, farmers and farm crews are busy moving equipment on roads and to and from fields. This increased activity raises the risk of accidents, warns Chris Gearld, director of safety, training and workforce development at Indiana Electric Cooperatives.

“Combines and grain augers are large pieces of equipment,” said Gearld. “People assume everything will fit under the power lines, but that isn’t always the case. The biggest cause of electrocutions on farms is equipment accidentally touching power lines.”

TO PREVENT DANGEROUS INCIDENTS, INDIANA’S ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES OFFER THE FOLLOWING SAFETY GUIDELINES:

Observe your surroundings.

Always check above and around before moving or raising equipment. Remember, power

Plan your route. Stay informed about where power lines and

Never try to raise power lines to allow tall equipment to pass through. Even non-metallic objects

power poles are on the property. If

like wood poles or branches can

for an alternative route.

conduct electricity.

there's any doubt the equipment will not fit under a power line, opt

Stay put in emergencies. If you’re

Measure the height of power lines and machinery. Know the distance

in equipment that touches power

between the ground and the

ground are energized. Stay in the

power lines, as well as between the

cab and call for help. Tell others to

equipment, to avoid contact with

stay away and do not let anyone

one another.

touch the equipment. In the rare

Be cautious around power poles.

Striking a pole can cause it to break, dropping live wires onto your equipment.

Lower the equipment properly.

Ensure that equipment such as grain augers and other portable equipment is fully lowered before transport.

Use a spotter. When navigating near power lines, having a spotter

lines, assume the equipment and

case of a fire and an emergency exit is necessary, jump clear without touching the ground and the equipment simultaneously, and land with your feet together.

Then, shuffle with both feet together for at least 30 feet to avoid electrical shock.

“Working the land has enough hazards in the work itself,” said Gearld. “With care and planning, moving to and from the fields shouldn’t be one of them.”

SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER 2026 2026 9

INDIANA CONNECTION SAFETY

Farmers must consider power line safety during harvest season

INDIANA CONNECTION ENERGY

Beyond the books HOW TEENS CAN REDUCE ENERGY USE TO SAVE

A

s teens settle into the new academic year, they’re

also getting used to their afterschool routines: fall sports, homework, and possibly even part-time jobs. Regardless of when teenagers arrive home, there are steps they can take to minimize their electricity use and save money in the process.

OPEN CURTAINS FOR NATURAL LIGHT As teens get ready to do homework, they may instinctively turn on all the lights in the house. Yet energy can be saved by leaving lights off and opening curtains instead. The sun can often provide enough light naturally.

SHORTER SHOWERS

gaming systems can use a

When getting ready, teens should

surprising amount of electricity.

be mindful of their shower time.

Teens can save energy (and

Long, hot showers can drain the

money) by turning off these

water heater, minimizing hot

devices. If they must be on,

water for other tasks. If the water

selecting a power-saving mode

heater is electric, the cost can

can reduce their energy use.

even save money by lowering

RECHARGE DEVICES OVERNIGHT

electric co-op for advice on

Mobile phones, iPads, and other

your home’s energy efficiency.

quickly add up, especially if a co-op offers time-of-use rates and the hot shower is during times when the cost is most expensive.

devices with rechargeable batteries

TURN GAMING SYSTEMS AND COMPUTERS OFF

can be charged overnight so they

Some people habitually leave

is the most efficient use of the

devices on all day. The standby

energy grid: electricity demand

modes for computers and

on the grid peaks in the afternoon

10 SEPTEMBER 2026

are ready the next morning. This

and evening, and if you have time-of-use rates, every little watt used off-peak can help.

By taking simple steps, teens can benefit the environment and their energy use. Contact your steps you can take to improve

Joe Spear Energy Solutions Coordinator Carroll White REMC

INDIANA CONNECTION INDIANA EATS

Cranberries Family Restaurant serves global comfort food with a hometown feel

BY STACEY MCARTHUR

Creating tasty food and serving

brother-in-law establish

it runs in Besim Saliji’s blood.

Benjamin’s Family Restaurant

As a child, he hung out at his

of Covington. His cousin also

grandfather’s bakery in Croatia,

operates American Table Family

close to Macedonia. Around

Dining in Washington.

2000, he and his family moved to Indiana, where some of his siblings had already settled.

He’s worked long hours at family restaurants since then.

HOME COOKIN’ Saliji enjoys cooking breakfast and serving it all day. Cranberries offers cooked-from-scratch specialty omelets, fresh hash browns, and

He decided to ditch the long

thick-cut bacon for breakfast. Most

hours but not the restaurant

ingredients are also locally sourced.

work he loved. That’s why he and his wife opened Cranberries Family Restaurant, a breakfast and lunch establishment in Jasper, Indiana. “They liked the small-town vibe, community, and the way people live here,” said Tarynn Reeves, manager, who has worked since the day they opened three years ago.

A FAMILY AFFAIR Restaurants run deep in the family. Saliji’s wife, Zemi, helps operate Cranberries. His cousin, daughter, and son also work there. Everyone knows every job at the restaurant. And Saliji has more than 25 years of culinary experience working in many

“Our food is consistent,” said Reeves. “When you come in, you know what kind of food you will get and what kind of service you will get. We have the same cooks every day, so that everything will taste the same.

The customers recognize the staff. It’s like eating at home.”

Patrons can order worldly items, such as a Monte Cristo that features two pieces of French Toast with Swiss cheese and grilled ham, along with hash browns, fruit, or oats. There’s also a German skillet that includes corned beef hash, American fries, Swiss cheese, two eggs,

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CRANBERRIES FAMILY RESTAURANT

and toast, as well as many Greek dishes. Additionally, they serve sandwiches, wraps, salads, Walleye and baby beef liver and onions.

“Besim wanted to offer hometown people the food they loved but also entice them with dishes that aren’t served at other places,” said Reeves.

Another way the restaurant shows its appreciation for its customers is by serving generous portions, offering children’s and senior menus, and keeping prices reasonable. “We value our customers, and we never want them to feel like we are running their pockets,” added Reeves.

restaurants and helping his family establish their own restaurants.

Saliji helped found Benjamin’s Family Restaurant in Rossville before the company moved to Rockville. About 10 years later, he moved to Covington

CRANBERRIES FAMILY RESTAURANT 198 Third Ave., Jasper, IN 47546 812-556-0237 cranberriesfamilyrestaurant.com Open daily from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Extended hours on Fridays.

and helped his sister and SEPTEMBER 2026 11

INDIANA CONNECTION CITY SPOTLIGHT

PUBLIC DOMAIN

Evansville

BY NICOLE THOMAS

Known as the “River City,” Evansville

from across the country visit during

2019, the Nut Club has also hosted

is Indiana’s third most populous city.

the library’s annual “Midnight

an annual half-pot drawing during

It’s home to Angel Mounds State

Madness” week in June, when it

the festival. The 2022 drawing set

Historic Site, one of the country’s

remains open until midnight for

a record, reaching $1.64 million.

best-preserved Native American

family history research. The library

sites, as well as Bosse Field, one of

is also said to house the “Grey Lady,”

the oldest ballparks in the country.

the ghost of Louise Carpenter, the

THE CITY’S WILD SIDE As one of Indiana’s first zoos, the Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden opened in 1928 with just two lion cubs, antelope, and an elephant. Today, the 45-acre zoo in Evansville homes more than 700 animals and welcomes more than 205,000 visitors each year. The zoo was built around Lake Victoria, where visitors can either walk along it or rent paddle boats to spot birds, turtles, and fish. Open 365 days a year, visitors can also discover exhibits featuring wildlife from

daughter of its founder, Willard Carpenter. After Willard’s death, the library was donated according to his will, but Louise disputed the decision and claimed ownership.

She ultimately lost her court case, and local lore says her spirit resides

have smelled her perfume. Since the late 1990s, visitors have searched library’s ghost cams and during its annual October Ghost Tours.

Evansville’s largest street festival, the West Side Nut Club’s Fall

genealogical archives. Researchers

PHOTO COURTESY OF LORI SR

12 SEPTEMBER 2026

last county in the August issue.

For the rest of the year, we will feature Indiana’s major cities.

CITY FACTS

for the “Grey Lady” through the

the zoo’s botanic garden.

Evansville known for its extensive

2019, and finally covered the

1937, and others have claimed to

and penguins, or stroll through

Gothic Revival-style library in

Indiana’s counties since January

reported seeing the “Grey Lady” in

A NUTTY TRADITION

The Willard Public Library is a

We have been highlighting

in the building. A custodian first

around the world, feed giraffes

GENEALOGY AND GHOST STORIES

Editor’s note

Festival, takes place each year during the first week of October along Franklin Street. Drawing nearly 200,000 visitors, the event features a parade, fair rides, live music, and 137 food booths hosted by nonprofit organizations. Since

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE WEST SIDE NUT CLUB

FOUNDED: 1812 NAMED FOR: Colonel Robert Morgan Evans, an officer in the War of 1812 POPULATION: 117,298

INDIANA CONNECTION EVENTS

4

EVENT GUIDE YOUR GUIDE TO FESTIVALS AND FUN ACROSS INDIANA

1

HOLLAND FESTIVAL Sept. 18-19 | Holland

2

visitduboiscounty.com/events The Holland Festival is “a Dutch touch” in a

3

German town. The festival offers food booths, a kids’ zone and activities, a beer garden, live music, a wiener dog race, an ice cream eating contest, a barbeque contest, a craft show, and

1

family-friendly activities staged around

5

Holland’s historic windmill.

COUNTY ANTIQUE 2 FRANKLIN MACHINERY SHOW Sept. 24-27 | Brookville fcamc.org

4

CORN SCHOOL

Oct. 6-10 | LaGrange

Celebrating its 31st year, the Franklin County

facebook.com/cornschoolfestival

Antique Machinery Show is one of Indiana’s

Corn School is one of the oldest street festivals in

largest antique machinery shows. The festival

Indiana and takes place every year in downtown

includes antique tractor pulls, horse pulls,

LaGrange. Enjoy a four-day celebration with

sawmill, steam engines, threshing, flea market,

carnival rides, games, talent shows, food vendors,

tractor games, food, and more. Oliver Tractors

parades, and the traditional vegetable awards.

and Equipment, as well as Michigan Built Engines, will be featured.

FESTIVAL 3 LOTUS Oct. 1-4 | Bloomington

DAY DOWNTOWN 5 DOG Oct. 17, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Evansville downtownevansville.com/events Bring your pups and join us for the seventh

lotusfest.org

annual Dog Day Downtown, presented by

Lotus World Music & Arts Festival showcases

German American Bank. Enjoy free activities

the exceptional talent of performing artists and

like an agility course, a foam party, a bone

musicians from around the globe. Twenty artists

bar, a pup cup station, nail trimming, and

will perform over four days and multiple venues.

more. Representatives from local animal

With a sense of discovery, exploration, and

nonprofits will be in attendance. Local

celebration, people of all ages, and backgrounds

vendors will also be at the event selling dog-

come to Bloomington to experience Lotus.

related products, custom pet caricatures, and craft beers from Barker Brewhouse.

SEPTEMBER 2026 13

INDIANA CONNECTION FOOD

COZY APPLE DESSERTS PERFECT FOR FALL GATHERINGS

14 SEPTEMBER 2026

RECIPES PREPARED AND PHOTOGRAPHED

BY INDIANA CONNECTION STAFF.

INDIANA CONNECTION FOOD

Apple and nut bread pudding BARBARA WOLF, AVILLA

16 slices day-old bread, torn into 1-inch pieces

21 oz can apple pie filling, slices cut in half

2 cups sugar 4 eggs

2 cups pecans, coarsely chopped

3 cups milk

1 cup golden raisins

2 tsp ground cinnamon

3/4 cup butter or margarine, melted

1/2 tsp salt 2 Tbsp vanilla extract

Whipped cream, optional

In a large bowl, combine the bread and sugar. Set aside. In another bowl, beat eggs, milk, cinnamon, salt, and vanilla until foamy. Pour over bread and sugar; mix well. Cover and refrigerate 2 hours.

Stir in all remaining ingredients except whipped cream. Pour into a greased 9-inch-by-13-inch baking pan. Bake at 350 F for 45-50 minutes, or until firm. Cut into squares. Serve warm or cold with whipped cream, if desired.

Crockpot apple butter MARTHA WISER-PARTIN, CORYDON

5 lbs tart apples

1/2 tsp ground nutmeg

1 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 tsp ground cloves

Rhubarb apple pizza

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp salt

JIM SHERRICK, VALPARAISO

Peel, core, and slice the apples. Add the apples, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, and salt to the crock pot. Stir until well mixed. Cover and cook on high for 5 hours, or on low for 8–10 hours, until the apples are soft and tender. keep formed liquid in the crock pot.

Use an immersion blender in the crock pot with any liquid that has formed. Pulse until smooth or blend in a blender. Store in small jars or airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks, or freeze.

CRUST

TOPPING

1/4 cup sugar

1 1/2 cups rhubarb, chopped

1 cup flour 1/4 tsp salt

1 1/2 cups apples, peeled and sliced thin

2 Tbsp shortening

1 package strawberry gelatin mix

1 tsp baking powder

1 cup sugar

1 egg beaten with 2 Tbsp milk

1/2 cup flour 1/2 cup margarine, melted

Mix together the crust ingredients. Pat the mixture into the bottom and sides of a round pizza pan or 9-inch-by-13-inch cake pan.

Place the rhubarb and apples over the crust. Sprinkle strawberry gelatin mix on top. In a bowl, mix the sugar, flour, and melted margarine, and pour over the pizza. Bake at 350 F for 45 minutes.

SEPTEMBER 2026 15

Location Location Location The Richmond mobile showroom will be visiting Menards locations. Find one near you!

DATE

ADDRESS

CITY

STATE

ZIP

8:00am - 12:00pm 09/16/26

1300 US Hwy 41

Schererville

Indiana

46375

09/21/26

5260 South Franklin

Michigan City

Indiana

46360

09/22/26

1233 165th Street

Hammond

Indiana

46320

Valparaiso

Indiana

46383

9:00am - 3:30pm 09/18/26

351 Silhavy Road

1:00pm - 5:00pm 09/16/26

6300 Mississippi Street

Merrillville

Indiana

46410

09/21/26

6220 US Route 6

Portage

Indiana

46368

09/22/26

6050 West Ridge Road

Gary

Indiana

46408

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INDIANA CONNECTION FEATURE

From the GROUND UP HARRISON COUNTY’S LOCAL FOOD SCENE IS UNITING THE COMMUNITY AND FUELING A MOVEMENT

BY STEPHANIE BERNABA

is run by Main Street Corydon

E

and managed by Karen York,

Mulberry Street in Corydon.

The market runs every Friday

very Friday evening from May through October, something

magical happens at 124 South Farmers, bakers, beekeepers, and artisan food makers set up booths at the Corydon Farmers Market, and the community shows up to shop, eat, and connect.

People linger over lavender lemonades and wood-fired pizzas.

Regulars line up early for cultfavorite cookies. Families make

who also serves as president of the Main Street Corydon Board.

from 4 to 7 p.m. and features 27 vendor booths, all of which are filled this season, with a waiting list for overflow spots.

Vendors range from produce growers and meat farmers to bakers, beekeepers, mushroom growers, and artisan crafters.

it a Friday night tradition.

What makes the Corydon market

Harrison County’s local food scene

sale, but the spirit in which it

has quietly become one of the most vibrant in southern Indiana.

Growers, bakers, and makers built this community on a shared belief that people deserve to know

stand out is not just what is for operates. Vendors visit each other’s booths, buy from one another, and incorporate each other’s products into their own.

the hands that grew their food.

“The high tide raises all boats,” York

A MARKET THAT GROWS COMMUNITY

each other’s booths. They go and

The Corydon Farmers Market has been a cornerstone of the local food scene since 2015, when it was established through a Stellar Grant as part of an effort to revitalize downtown Corydon.

Now in its 11th season, the market

said. “I love that our vendors visit buy the honey and use it in their cookies. They support each other,

Angela de Krieger, owner of Singing Trees Keep (Photo courtesy of de Krieger)

pad to open brick-and-mortar storefronts in downtown Corydon.

“It allows the vendors an opportunity to see what is popular, what is in demand, what will sell,” York said. “It’s an incubator for businesses downtown.”

The market is free to the public, with vendor fees kept accessible.

Permanent vendors pay $150 for the season, while temporary vendors pay $25 per event up to a $150 cap. The market features two covered pavilions on a concrete slab, with electricity for vendors and on-site restrooms.

SINGING TREES KEEP: THE HEART OF THE HOMESTEAD Angela de Krieger and her husband, Sang, run a teaching

which makes me want to cry.”

homestead in Harrison County

Three vendors — Abruzzo’s Italian

small-batch fermentation studio,

Foods and Confections, Ageless Agape, and Precious Lather — have used the market as a launching

that includes a microbakery, a pasture-raised poultry, and workshops to help neighbors reconnect with their food supply.

SEPTEMBER 2026 17

INDIANA CONNECTION FEATURE

“Our mission is to produce holistically managed livestock and products to improve food security for ourselves and the surrounding communities,” de Krieger said.

De Krieger began making kimchi in 2014 after her family moved from Los Angeles to Indiana.

Her husband was adopted from South Korea as a child and could not find kimchi locally once the family settled in Indiana.

What started as a gift for him became a passion, and by 2019, she was selling fermented foods at the Corydon Farmers Market. She later launched a sourdough microbakery, inspired by her efforts to bake healthier bread for her son’s health.

At her booth, shoppers find fermented vegetables including pineapple-ginger sauerkraut, kimchi asparagus, fermented carrots, and curtido, a Latin American-style ferment, alongside sourdough loaves, muffins, scones, and pancake mixes. Her brown butter chocolate chip cookies have such a following that customers line up 20 minutes before the market opens to secure a bag.

Singing Trees Keep also raises and sells pasture-raised chickens, about 180 last year, and offers sourdough baking workshops and chicken processing classes.

GYPSY RAIN ORGANICS: THIRD-GENERATION ROOTS AND A MODERN VISION Tad Streepey grew up next door to the farm he now runs.

His grandmother farmed row crops in Harrison County, his

18 SEPTEMBER 2026

parents were homesteaders, and he spent childhood summers picking tomatoes and milking goats. He created Gypsy Rain Organics as an LLC in 2020.

“From the time we got the farm, I always wanted to do something with it,” Streepey said, “and then COVID hit, and I thought, no better time than now.”

program (a CSA is a direct arrangement where you buy a share of a local farm’s harvest upfront), sells at the Corydon Farmers Market every Friday, supplies vegetables to local restaurants, hosts farm visits, and offers growing classes. Streepey’s

Gypsy Rain Organics now

offerings include four colors of

runs a Community Supported

beets, uncommon greens, and

Agriculture (CSA) subscription

microgreens grown year-round

“If we didn’t have beekeepers, I

areas in the United States for pests,”

think there’d be hardly any bees

Streepey said. His approach relies

left,” Oliver said. “And it’s very

on neem oil, beneficial nematodes,

rewarding when people tell me

soil inoculation, caterpillar

how much they enjoy the honey.”

tunnels, and bug netting, all without synthetic chemicals.

This year, Streepey said, is intentionally a “catch our breath” year, a chance to stabilize before scaling up again. Sourdough bread and locally sourced honey are also available through the

over months of experimentation

an industrial water treatment engineer, and beekeeping has

and launch a winter CSA. Organic farming here, Streepey explained, is not without challenges.

a custom 11-ingredient blend of psyllium husk powder, developed on her family’s 28-acre farm.

“With gluten-free baking, it has to be a blend,” Zenor explained.

“It’s a more involved process than baking regular sourdough, but to get the consistency,

become his primary focus.

you have to have the mix.”

Oliver and his wife, Carol, run

Her lineup includes artisan

Bee Boy Honey together, selling at the market every Friday. Their line has expanded beyond raw honey to include creamed honey, hot honey, honey sticks, honeyspiced pecans, beeswax soaps, lip balms, hand cream, deodorant,

Streepey plans to add two more

after discovering her own gluten

Scott Oliver started keeping bees

2025 from a 34-year career as

producing through winter, and

families across Harrison County

whole-grain flours, starches, and

around Corydon. He retired in

keeps collards, kale, and spinach

gluten-free sourdough for

BEE BOY HONEY: SWEET WORK, 50 HIVES STRONG

than 50 hives across six locations

under lights. A new hoop house

Seeds Bakery & Blooms, bakes

sensitivity. Her signature loaves use

years later, he manages more

de Krieger and Main Street Corydon)

Sharon Zenor, owner of Sowing

Gypsy Rain Organics CSA.

in 2010 with two hives. Sixteen

Clockwise from top left: Angela de Krieger teaches a class at Backroads Market in Corydon.; Gypsy Rain Organics offers a CSA program along with their farmers market sales.; Bee Boy Honey manages over 50 hives in six locations around Corydon.; The Corydon Farmers Market offers 27 vendor booths.; Farmers Market vendors range from produce growers and meat farmers to bakers, beekeepers, and artisan crafters. (Photos courtesy of Angela

SOWING SEEDS BAKERY & BLOOMS: GLUTEN-FREE MADE WITH CARE

sourdough loaves, gluten-free cinnamon rolls, cookies, pizza crusts, and dinner rolls, with vegan and dairy-free options in development. Orders are accepted through HotPlate.com every other week, and Zenor

candles, and propolis extract.

delivers personally along a route

His honey-spiced pecans started

to New Albany and Louisville,

as an afterthought and now sell out every week in four-pound batches. Because his four-acre property can support only about 15 hives, Oliver has built a network of host properties, all current or former market vendors, providing

“Talk to any organic farmer that

equipment and labor in exchange

has grown in this area, and they

for 10% of his annual harvest.

stretching from Harrison County Kentucky. Customers can also pick up orders year-round at Backroads Market in Corydon.

The bakery grew entirely by word of mouth after Angela de Krieger tried a loaf and started passing the name to friends. The two now barter regularly, trading bread for pasture-raised chickens.

SEPTEMBER 2026 19

INDIANA CONNECTION FEATURE

will tell you this is one of the worst

INDIANA CONNECTION FEATURE

K&B LIBERTY FARMS: REGENERATIVE, PASTURERAISED, AND MISSION-DRIVEN Kris and Brittney Hobt bring a unique story to the county’s food scene. Both are U.S. Army veterans who continue to serve

producers across Indiana. When

applied to commercial food

regulatory guidelines threatened

establishments, and state and

to restrict what home-based

local health authorities are

vendors could legally sell, the two

barred from imposing rules or

built a grassroots coalition and

licensing requirements beyond

took their case to Indianapolis.

those required by federal law.

their community while running

De Krieger founded an online

a regenerative farm and raising a

group, Hoosiers for Food

family. They joined the Corydon

Freedom, that grew to more than

Farmers Market in 2023 and

3,000 members statewide and

have quickly become a valued

connected with the Institute for

part of the vendor community.

Justice and Leah Wilson, president

The farm specializes in pasture-

of Stanford Health Freedom.

raised poultry and beef raised

Together, they rallied support

using regenerative practices. K&B

for House Bill 1424, the Farm

Liberty hosts Bee Boy Honey

and Homestead Food Sales

hives on its property and carries

Act, authored by Rep. Hunter

products from Ageless Agape,

Smith and co-authored by Reps.

a local toxin-free cosmetics

Robert Morris, Matt Lehman,

company whose formulations use

and Robb Greene. The bill was

tallow sourced from K&B’s cattle.

sponsored in the Senate by Sens.

BACKROADS MARKET: WHERE LOCAL MAKERS FIND A HOME Not every part of the local food scene happens outdoors on a Friday night. Backroads Market, owned by Abby Taylor, provides year-round visibility and a gathering space for the area’s makers, bakers, and artisans. De Krieger drops off bread orders there during the off-market months, and Taylor charges nothing for the dedicated shelving.

The space also hosts workshops throughout the year, including fermentation and sourdough classes led by de Krieger.

HOUSE BILL 1424: A WIN FOR INDIANA’S FOOD PRODUCERS De Krieger and Streepey of Gypsy Rain Organics spent much of the past year championing legislation that has reshaped what is possible for small food 20 SEPTEMBER 2026

Brian Buchanan, Gary Byrne, Tyler Johnson, Eric Koch, Blake Doriot, and Stacey Donato.

De Krieger and Streepey testified before the Senate committee, each bringing sons who also testified.

Of the roughly 14 people who testified in support, de Krieger estimates at least half were connected through her advocacy group. The bill passed the House 74-12, and Governor Mike Braun signed it into law on March 12,

Vendors may sell specified meat products and other foods from their own property or at a farmers’ market, and may ship and deliver food directly to consumers under specified conditions. Vendors must still provide consumers with product information through signage or labeling, and health departments retain the ability to investigate foodborne illness complaints.

“This will free up not just small farms, but customers too, to choose where they buy and what they feed their family,” de Krieger said. “I truly believe that small farms feeding local communities is the way forward.”

A COMMUNITY WORTH SUPPORTING These businesses represent a value much greater than the sum of their parts. They are a network of vendors who buy from, barter with, advocate for, and show up together at county health board meetings and Statehouse hearings.

2026. It took effect July 1.

The Corydon Farmers Market

Homestead and small farm

the end of October. Bring

vendors are now exempt from health regulations that previously

continues every Friday through an appetite, a bag, and the family. Dinner is waiting.

For a list of vendor contacts and product ordering details, visit indianaconnection.org.

LIFETIME Ron Taylor had never been to Washington,

World War II, the Korean War, or the Vietnam War.

D.C. That changed earlier this year when the

Veterans who served in any military capacity between

retired Hoosier Energy employee and Vietnam

1941 and 1975 are currently eligible to participate.

veteran participated in the 50th Indy Honor Flight to the nation’s capital on May 30.

“It was really well organized, well done, and greatly appreciated,” said Taylor. “For those of us who are

Indy Honor Flight is a nonprofit organization created

Vietnam veterans, it was probably the first time

specifically to honor Indiana’s veterans. Each Honor

since I came home from there in 1970 that anybody

Flight is a one-day, no-cost trip to Washington,

actually said thank you. It was a great trip.”

D.C., to visit memorials built in honor of veterans of

Taylor, who retired in 2014 after 29 years at Hoosier Energy — the last 14 as lead instructor for the

Ron Taylor in Washington, D.C., holding a picture of himself from his time of service.

Hoosier Energy Apprenticeship Training & Safety (HEATS) program — joined the waiting list several years ago and received a surprise phone call this spring asking if he was still interested. There was no hesitation for Taylor, who served as a specialist in the U.S. Army as an M88 Tank operator from 1969 to 1971, including one year in Vietnam.

“Most of the people in the service at that time were just kids, and most of us had never been away from home,” he said.

More than 50 years later, Taylor finally made it to Washington, where each veteran was presented with a poster-sized picture of themselves as they toured monument after monument. The highlight for Taylor was visiting the Lincoln Memorial.

He also received many messages and letters as part of the Honor Flight, including one from Hoosier Energy President and CEO Donna Walker.

“On behalf of Hoosier Energy, thank you for everything you have given to our nation and to the cooperative family,” she wrote. “We are proud to celebrate you.”

SEPTEMBER 2026 21

INDIANA CONNECTION HOOSIER ENERGY

THE TRIP OF A

RETIRED HOOSIER ENERGY EMPLOYEE AND VIETNAM VETERAN RON TAYLOR HONORED ON 50TH INDY HONOR FLIGHT TO WASHINGTON

EMPOWERING CO-OPS TO MEET RISING ENERGY DEMANDS RESPONSIBLY

I

make it a point to get out into our co-op communities. There

is one topic that seems to come up everywhere I go. Whether I’m

INDIANA CONNECTION WVPA NEWS

Navigating growth meeting with directors, talking with community leaders, or visiting with our member co-ops, the conversation often turns to growth. New investment. New businesses. New opportunities.

And increasingly, questions about how much electricity those projects may need.

For much of my career, electricity demand was relatively flat.

Growth in population and economic activity was often offset by gains in efficiency. Utilities could generally predict future demand with a fair degree of confidence. That has changed.

NEW OPPORTUNITIES Across Indiana and much of the Midwest, communities are seeing interest from manufacturers, technology companies, data centers, and other large energy users looking for places to invest and grow. These projects can bring jobs, expand local tax bases, and create new opportunities for the communities we serve.

Along with those opportunities come important questions.

Can the electric system support the additional demand? What infrastructure will be needed?

How long will it take to build?

Who should pay for those

The discussions and arguments

investments? Most importantly,

surrounding growth will continue

how do we continue providing

for years. The opportunities are

reliable and affordable electricity

real, and so are the challenges.

to the members who already

What gives me confidence

depend on us every day? These

is knowing that co-ops were

are not always simple questions,

built for exactly these kinds of

but they are the right questions.

conversations. The cooperative

OUR RESPONSIBILITY As co-ops, our responsibility is not to pursue every opportunity that comes along, nor is it to

business model encourages us to think long-term, ask tough questions, and keep members at the center of every decision.

avoid growth altogether. Our

Growth will continue to knock

job is to evaluate opportunities

on our door. When it does,

carefully and make decisions

we will approach it the same

that strengthen our communities

way we’ve always approached

while protecting the interests

important decisions: thoughtfully,

of our members. That means

responsibly, and with our

looking beyond the headlines

members’ best interests in mind.

and considering the long-term impacts. It means planning for reliability, evaluating risk, and ensuring growth supports rather than compromises our mission.

Jeff Conrad

President and CEO Wabash Valley Power Alliance

SEPTEMBER 2026 21

INDIANA CONNECTION TRAVEL

IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE MAZE EXPLORATION ACRES OFFERS FALL FUN FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

BY NATALIE DERRICKSON

If there’s anything most Hoosiers

“For 2026, we

can agree on, it’s that Indiana

are adding a

puts on some of its best shows

large Jumping

during the fall season. The crisp

Pillow

morning air, Friday night football

experience

games, and weekends spent at

and rope

Exploration Acres, home to one

playground

of the most creative and largest

for children

corn mazes in the state. This year’s

that will open

design celebrates the nation’s

this fall.”

250th birthday, artfully depicting American icons such as Uncle Sam, Rosie the Riveter, and the Statue of Liberty throughout the maze, with tracks ranging from 0.7 to 3.9 miles.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF EXPLORATION ACRES

The maze also offers a local connection.

With Exploration Acres’ Rewards Program, mazegoers can get hole punches at 28 checkpoints

Since 2008, Exploration Acres

sponsored by local businesses.

has welcomed visitors to the

Sponsored coupons include

property, formerly the Beeler

offers such as 50% off mini golf at

Family farmstead, with attendance

Monster Mini Golf, $1 off a Frappe

growing from 13,000 in its first year

at Tom’s Traveling Coffee, and a

to as many as 54,000 annually.

free day pass at Climb Lafayette.

Each year, Exploration Acres ups

With so much to do, see, and explore,

the ante on the visitor experience,

plan to spend the day at Exploration

enhancing its offering and sampling

Acres. Secure a cozy home base in

new and exciting experiences.

the property’s 11-acre woods and

Their 2018 corn maze featured a

reserve a picnic table and fire pit

design depicting Netflix’s hit show

for a three-hour block for just $35.

Stranger Things, and the 2019 design celebrating Purdue’s 150th anniversary was voted the best in the country by USA Today readers.

The corn maze season runs from Sept. 18 through Oct. 31.

Admission to Exploration Acres can be purchased online or in

“We’ve experimented with planting

person and includes access to the

custom sunflower and tulip mazes

corn maze, free antique tractor

and found both to be popular with

rides to the maze and pumpkin

customers,” said Tim Fitzgerald,

patch, and 20 other activities

president of Exploration Acres.

for children and adults alike.

22 SEPTEMBER 2026

EXPLORATION ACRES 6042 Newcastle Rd. Lafayette, IN 47905 For tickets, operating hours, and updates, visit explorationacres.com.

ESSENTIAL COOL-SEASON VEGGIES TO PLANT THIS FALL

I

f you’re like many of us, the

so the veggies have room

crop covers or other protection

spring planting of cool-season

to grow. Remember, you

when frost and freeze threaten.

can eat the thinnings.

Straw also works well to insulate

veggies wasn’t the best. Some days it was too cold. Some days it poured rain. And some days were so hot that plants bolted or went to seed.

Fortunately, we are not alone in wanting even more yummies for the vegetable garden. This is

root vegetables from cold temperatures. Lettuce is the most susceptible to frost damage.

where we thank garden centers

What about what’s still in the

Welcome September! This is

and other retailers for offering

veggie garden? Keep tomatoes,

our second chance to plant cool-

us ready-to-plant specimens of

peppers, and other producing

season veggies. Not sure what to

broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage,

vegetable plants that haven’t

plant in the fall Indiana garden?

and other brassicas.

been taken by the season. Be

Here are plants that are easy to grow by direct sowing seeds outdoors, or readily available as transplants at garden centers.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT VEGETABLES Sow seeds or plant transplants five to six weeks before the first frost.

CARING FOR YOUR GARDEN Mulch the newly planted

sure to water these plants as they continue to produce.

veggies with chopped leaves, shredded bark, or compost.

This helps protect plant roots.

Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp is a member

To extend the harvest even

International’s Hall of Fame.

more, be prepared to throw on

She blogs at hoosiergardener.com

of Garden Communicators

When selecting seeds for the fall vegetable garden, check the daysto-harvest on the packet. Look for plants that germinate and mature quickly. You don’t want a plant that needs 90 days to maturity.

Let’s start with lettuces, arugula, and spinach. Add mustard greens, Swiss chard, and kale to the mix.

These are easy to grow in the ground or in containers. If rabbits are a problem, go with pots.

You can also sow seeds of root crops such as turnips, carrots, beets, and radishes. These, too, can be grown in containers, which may have looser soil that won’t deform the roots.

Thin these plants according to the seed packet instructions SEPTEMBER 2026 23

INDIANA CONNECTION BACKYARD

An autumn garden revival

Indiana’s electric cooperatives put Hoosiers’ needs first The residents and businesses in the communities we serve are our member-owners. We put our members’ needs first.

36 FEBRU ARY 20 19

36 FEBRUARY 2019