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Take me back W as it this hot last year? I don’t think it was. I am not cut out for heat. I do not enjoy sweating. I like the sun, even when it doesn’t like me. But I prefer it from the shade or a pool. I take after my dad. I can look outside and start sweating in preparation for how hot it is. And I’m not talking some cute little dainty sweat. My daughter played travel ball for years. We spent so much time just sitting there, marinating in our own sweat, slowly dying, wondering how our children would make it out of the game without passing out. I don’t know how I did it. Her, either. Last summer, my friends and I packed up and went to Maine to visit our other close friend. She lives in Portland, which is absolutely beautiful. The best part? We spent the Fourth of July in hoodies and jeans under blankets watching fireworks over the ocean. I mean, the ocean was too cold to go in further than your feet, but I didn’t think I was having a heat stroke. The beaches there are varied. They have the super rocky side and the sandy side. The crowning jewels, of course, are the lighthouses. It’s exactly what you see on postcards and advertisements. Spending time with the girls I have chosen as my family, though, was the best. We crammed so many laughs and memories in those five days. We’ve grown up together. We graduated high school, got married, had babies together. We’ve been there through death, divorce, new love and everything in between. It was so much fun to be able to just relax with them. As weird as it sounds, I’m glad my friend moved there. I think her life would be a lot different if she stayed. She’s happy, healthy and fulfilled. We aren’t the friends that have standing weekly phone calls. We have a group chat that probably hasn’t seen action in a month. But, we’re the kind of friends that show up and it’s like no time has passed when we do get together. I hope she feels that way, because this heat has me ready to go back. I think I could deal with the feet of snow in the winter.
Emily May Editor
4 July/August 2022
is a product of Neal Media. Gary Neal | President & Publisher 812-598-2183 gneal@boonvilleview.com Debi Neal | Business Development 812-598-2182 dneal@boonvilleview.com Emily May | Editor 812-453-7420 emily@boonvilleview.com
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204 W. Locust, Boonville, IN 47601
CON TEN TS
BoonvilleView.com 5
FEATURES
What a Year!
It’s a good year to be a Brave!
06
Clocking Out
Roger Emmons spent 47 years keeping the county going.
14
28 Best. Day. Ever
Amy Leslie is bringing a little more beauty to Boonville.
Park It
36 03 18 22 26 32 34 38
Letter from the Editor Warrick 4-H Fair Curb Appeal A lesson in Honor Enjoying the View Boonville Bulletin Advertiser Index
Boonville and Warrick County parks are primed for summer season!
6 July/August 2022
It’s been a pretty good year for the Braves. The girls basketball team survived the top 1A teams in the state to win the program’s first state basketball championship. Four months later, the softball team solidified its dynasty with Gordon Wood’s fourth state championship. The baseball team also made a bid for a state championship, but fell just short in the finals.
BoonvilleView.com 7
8 July/August 2022
Commander’s Grill
Sandwiches, fried chicken, steaks & chops 118 W. Locust St. • Boonville, IN • 812-715-0055
10 July/August 2022
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BoonvilleView.com 11
Editor’s note: This story was written by Katie Stancombe for The Indiana Lawyer, a publication of IBJ. To read the original article, visit www.theindianalawyer.com. It was written to honor Don Ashley as one of Indiana’s oldest practicing attornies. The photos are courtesy of the Ashley family and were featured in the November/December 2019 issue of Boonville View. Laying out a big, clean sheet of paper, 92-year-old attorney Don Ashley gathered his measuring tools, sat down and got to work. Five days a week, the longtime Boonville lawyer gets up and goes to the office, where he practices and consults at his daughters’ title company. “Yes, every day,” Ashley said with a chuckle. Ashley is one of the oldest practicing attorneys in Indiana. His legal career began in 1954 and has run the gamut.
He started as a young public defender and eventually served as Boonville’s city attorney from 1956 to 1964 and 1980 to 1988. He later served as deputy prosecutor from 1971 to 1974 and spent 30 years as counsel for the town of Lynnville. For the past three decades, Ashley has focused on real estate and probate law. Although he hasn’t practiced regularly in court since his 70s, he said he does miss the collegiality of the courtroom. Before moving to his current office in 2012, Ashley had practiced out of an office on the city’s public square since 1974 - the same office where his father practiced law beginning in 1946. Ashley recalled practically growing up at his father’s law office, where he spent every day during the summer answering phones and running errands. Since those days, he said he’d never consid-
12 July/August 2022
ered doing anything other than following in his father’s footsteps. As an only child, Ashley’s family and community assumed he would take after his father, who built a successful law practice in Boonville. Recalling a time when he asked his father for advice about composing complaints and contracts, the response Ashley received was simple, powerful and a little humorous: “Just make sense.” Making sense of complicated matters is something Ashley is good at, his family and friends say. Ashley has been a fountain of legal knowledge over the years, according to his daughter, Laura Broadhead. He still prepares many deeds at their title company and still plats by hand. “We’ve never had a software program that does it for us,” she said. Laura described her dad as being generous with his time and expertise when other lawyers ask to consult with him about their legal concerns or questions. “It’s been interesting for me to sit and watch this take place - to see what he’s done and continues to do,” she said. “It’s amazing because if I’m at the office and he’s helping another attorney or trying to explain something, I can learn so much just by listening to his conversations.” That hardworking spirit is evident in both Ashley’s personal and professional life. Following a 2016 car accident that resulted in the death of his son-in-law, Ashley stepped in to support his family in spite of his own injuries from the crash. “When my dad got home from the hospital, he didn’t feel great,” Laura said. “I remember saying, ‘I need you back in the office,’ and he was back in the office doing commitments he hadn’t done in 20 years. ”It was such a traumatic time for us, but he was back in the office doing what he had to do to keep things going,” she continued. “He would do anything in the world for his family. It would have been very
easy for us to say, ‘We’re done, it’s too hard.’ But that’s not the way it was.” Benjamin Broadhead, an associate at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP and Ashley’s grandson, said he thinks it’s truly incredible that his granddad continues to practice law at 92. “I think he’s had an incredible career and he’s made a big impact on the community,” Broadhead said. “He’s met and developed relationships with so many people in the town of Boonville and in Warrick County through his practice. I’m very proud to be his grandson and I’m very proud to be following in his footsteps and in the footsteps of my father and my greatgrandfather as an attorney.” The elder attorney said he’s proud of his family, too. “I’m extremely proud and I wish him purpose,” Ashley said specifically of Ben. “I question his sanity for entering the legal field,” he added. When asked if he learned any lessons from his father in all his years of practice, Ashley immediately had an answer: “Be honest and truthful and be faithful to your clients and profession.” Ben chimed in, “Couldn’t have said it better myself.” Hard work and generosity are two pillars of Ashley’s practice evident to those who know him. Longtime friend and fellow attorney Anthony Long, a general practitioner in Boonville, called Ashley “an institution in the legal profession.” “His skills and talents are undiminished,” Long said. “I’ve never taken a question to him that he didn’t sit there and ponder for a second and give me a simple and concise answer.” The friends met when Long relocated to Boonville after being admitted to the Indiana bar in 1970. Long remembered noticing Ashley’s reserved demeanor and “amazingly dry sense of humor.” More than 50 years later, Long said Ashley is a dear friend whom he admires deeply. “Everyone listens to his opinion and takes it
seriously - clients and other attorneys,” Long said. “When I wrote my first will, I never told him I named him the executor of my estate because I trusted him so much.” Long confirmed there’s no question that Ashley’s mental acuity is still razor sharp. “It’s amazing how he can take a property dispute and line it out with a big piece of paper and with all of his compasses and little devices,” Long said. “He can figure out what’s right and when he does it’s just
phenomenal to see someone his age that is still as competent and acute as he is.” Ashley continues to practice law, he said, because he simply enjoys going to work each day and can’t think of anything else he’d like to do with his time. He said he doesn’t view practicing at his age as an accomplishment - he’s just doing what he enjoys for as long as he can. “It’s been a good life,” Ashley said. “I’ve enjoyed being able to prolong my practice.”•
14 July/August 2022
out
Clocking Warrick County has seen its share of political leaders over the years. Political ideals have changed, but the constant for nearly five decades has been the man behind the scenes. Roger Emmons started with the county in January of 1975. He worked through a federal program, CETA, that trained workers and provided with them with a job in public service. He started at the highway department as the clerk and bookkeeper. “They told me, ‘If you do a good job, we’ll think about actually hiring you as a county employee.’ Even though I got paid by a different funding mechanism back then, I’ve always considered myself to be a county employee since January 1975,” Roger recalled. “Evidentally it was satisfactory because then on Jan. 1, 1976, I was hired as a county employee. In other words, I was getting paid by the county.” Roger perfected his role at the highway department for several years before a new opportunity within the county presented itself. “Virgil Gerhardt, he had been a commissioner in District 2,” he said. “As a matter of fact, he was one of the commissioners in ‘75 that hired me. After he got beat in the election, they hired him as the county administrator. He got to the point where he wanted to retire... The board president at that time, Keith Shelton, came and asked me if I’d be interested in becoming the county administrator and come up to the courthouse. It was going to better myself and my famiily, so I said sure.” The day-to-day of a county administrator is a lot of paperwork. Roger said he spends a lot of time writing emails. He has a part in much of the behind-the-scenes work. From drug-free policies to eyesore properties to ADA compliance, Roger
has helped the county move forward for 47 years now. “I’ve got to be a part of a lot of really nice projects,” he said. “The most recent of which is the courthouse renovation project. We started the project in 2017 and I think it was completed in 2019. It was kind of in conjunction with the city’s square project... That was a $6.5 million project. We’ve
BoonvilleView.com 15 had a lot of positive comments... It’s the nicest it’s ever looked.” The county administrator position is created by Indiana Code. The Board of Commissioners appoints the administrator. In 1996, the politics side of his job turned the tables. “We had a political shakeup (in 1996) and I got transferred back out the highway department as operations manager,” he said. “One of the commissioners at the time said that if politics change, he was going to bring me back on as county administrator. That happed about 22 years ago.” Out of the 33 commissioners he’s served, though, Roger said he has great respect for the current administration. “I don’t care what people’s politics are, you just do the best job you can,” he said. “This board of commissioners is great in the fact that they look at a person’s qualifications. They don’t really care about your political persuasion. As a matter of fact, they’re all republican and basically I’m a democrat. I always have been. I’ve never voted for a republican president in my life and I won’t. I’ll always vote for the democrat. But on a local level, it’s different. I’ve voted for many republicans. The current board, of course. Not to toot their horn, but they’re probably the best board of commissioners I’ve had the pleasure of serving. Dan Saylor, Terry Phillippe and Bob Johnson, people don’t know just how much they invest in bettering Warrick County. They lay awake at night thinking of things that will make Warrick County better. Even hands-on, as far as doing work on this lawn.” The current board will be the last board that Roger serves, though. He officially retired as of June 30. He still plans to work via contract to help the new
county administrator, but he’s ready to relax a bit. “I’ll miss helping people and my colleagues,” he said. “I won’t miss the headaches or getting up early in the morning. But you make a lot of friends over the years, good friends. You end up spending more time with them than you do your spouse. You become close and that’s what I’ll miss.” With the exception of one year, Roger has lived in Boonville his entire 71 years. He’s been happily married to Debbie for 17 years and has two sons, Gene and Jerry, by a previous marriage. Gene is working for a company in Oklahoma and Jerry works in the medical field in Houston, Texas. Roger said that a trip to visit Jerry - Gene travels
16 July/August 2022 a lot for work - and a baseball game may be in the future. He also has a grandson by marriage, Kwen. “We’re big baseball fans, so it’d be great to go down there and maybe see an Astros game... and maybe see the Yankees, our favorite team,” he said. “We’re planning on taking a trip as soon as possible after I retire.” In addition to his wife and sons, Roger plans on spending time with his mother, Lois Dixon, who is still pretty spry at 91, and his siblings. His bandmate, Danny, worked at Peabody Squaw Creek Mine for many years and is currently working at the high school. His sister, Kelly Mitchell, is the former President and CEO of SIRS and is currently the director at the Indiana Division of Disability and Rehabilitative Services in the State’s Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA). Another sister, Kristy Stutsman, is a payroll specialist at Red Spot Paint & Varnish. “I’m very proud of my whole family! We are also grieving the loss of Debbie’s dad, my father-in-law, Dick Anderson, who recently passed at 92.” Retirement gives Roger a little more time for his passion - his band. “One of the great pleasures of my life is being able to play music with my brother, Danny Emmons, in the band Touch of Gray,” he said. “We’re still doing that at our advanced ages. He’s 14 months younger than me. As a matter of fact, we’re playing over here in Johnson Park on July 16. You’ve got to keep your sanity.” Looking back on the last 47 years, Roger has had a lot of “favorites” over the years, usually the most recent project. The Warrick County War Memorial on the courthouse lawn is still a favorite,
BoonvilleView.com 17 though. He takes pride in his work, as all 33 of the commissioners he’s served can attest to. In one case, a newly-elected commissioner told Roger of his plan to fire him. It didn’t take long for him to change his mind. Roger sees himself as a guardian and if the county commissioners aren’t successful, the county isn’t successful. “You kind of know going in if the job you’ve done
warrants you being reappointed, and I feel like I’ve always done that... I’ve always told new commissioners coming in that my main job is to protect you from yourselves... It takes them a while to understand that I’m trying to keep your name out of the paper and off TV in a negative light. They’ve all come to appreciate that. I’m trying to help them. I want to help them.”
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s t h g i N r e m Sum & Neon Lights
2022 Warrick 4-H Fair
GeneralInformation
General Admission: $3 per person (6 and under free). Week Pass: $15 Arena admission: $7 for adults, $3 for children 7-12 and free for 6 and younger. Week Arena Pass: $35 The Warrick County 4-H Fair is open Monday through Saturday from 5 to 10 p.m. Rides do not run during inclement weather. 4-H Exhibits are open from 5 to 10 p.m. Monday and 10 a.m.to 10 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Homemaker Exhibits are open from 5 to 9 p.m. Monday and noon to 9 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Rides and commercial exhibits open at 5 p.m. Monday thru Saturday. Fair event information can be found at www.warrickcounty4hcenter.com or by contacting Purdue Extension at 812-897-6101 or e-mail warrickces@ purdue.edu.
FRIDAY,JULY15
7 p.m. — 4-H Fashion Show - Public/Private in Alcoa Building
SATURDAY,JULY16
8 a.m. — 4-H Livestock & Exhibit Building set-up 9 a.m. — 4-H Consumer Clothing Judging in Homemaker Building 5:30 p.m. — Little Miss and Mister Contest in Alcoa Building; admission $2 7 p.m. — Warrick County Queen Contest in Alcoa Building; admission $2
SUNDAY,JULY17
2-3:50 p.m. — Pick-up Project Barcode Tags and Projects scanned into Fair Entry in Alcoa Building Enter 4-H projects in Exhibit Building and Alcoa Building (community judging) 2-3 p.m. — Check-in for last names A-L. Small Animal Check-in in Alcoa Building. 3-4 p.m. — Check-in for last names M-Z. Small Animal Check-in in Alcoa Building. 2-4 p.m. — 4-H White achievement cards due in the 4-H Fair Office
Overnight stay forms due in the 4-H Fair Office 4-4:45 p.m. — Weigh in for Tug-of-War Competition – 4-H Fun Night 5 p.m. — 4-H Fun Night Competition in Arena (Mini & 4-H) 5-9 p.m. — Outdoor Commercial Booth Setup NOTE: Rides, Booths & Exhibits do not open until Monday
MONDAY,JULY18
7-11 a.m. — Enter all 4-H Livestock, including Horse & Pony. (Swine is 7 to 10 a.m. only.) 8 a.m.-noon — Indoor Commercial Booth Set-Up in Exhibit Building 8:30-11 a.m. — Enter Extension Homemaker/ Open Class Exhibits in Homemaker Building Noon — Judging of Homemaker & Open Class begins 12-4 p.m. — Outdoor Commercial Booth Setup 4 p.m. — 4-H Poultry Show in Livestock Arena Gates Open- Admission $3 Motocross Practice (Pit Opens @ 2 p.m.) 5-7 p.m. — 4-H Project Interact in front of Exhibit Building 6 p.m. — Motocross in Arena – Jason Stills 7 p.m.— Circle of Five on the Free Stage
TUESDAY,JULY19
8 a.m. — 4-H Horse Halter & Performance Classes in Horse Arena 11 a.m. — Mother Nature Minions with Soil and Water 11 a.m.-2 p.m. — 4-H Judging Competition 1 p.m. — Afternoon Games 4 p.m. — Gates Open 4-6 p.m. — Mud Volleyball and Mud Dodgeball Registration at East Arena Gate (by Tree) 5:45 p.m. — 4-H Tenure Award PresentationLivestock Arena, Presented by Warrick Co. Farm Bureau Inc. Ag Hall of Fame Pres. in Livestock Arena, Presented by Warrick Co. Farm Bureau Inc. 6 p.m. — 4-H Swine Show in Livestock Arena 6 & 7 p.m. — Mud Volleyball and Mud Dodgeball 7 p.m. — Magician John Louis on the Free Stage
20 July/August 2022
WEDNESDAY,JULY20
8:30-10:30 a.m. — 4-H Robotics Demonstration in Alcoa Building 10 a.m. — 4-H Horse Contesting Classes in Horse Arena 4-H Dairy Show in Livestock Arena 11 a.m. — Mother Nature Minions with Soil and Water 11 a.m. — 4-H Cat Show in Alcoa Building 1 p.m. — Afternoon Games 2 p.m. — 4-H Model Rocketry and Airplane Launch in Arena 4 p.m. — Gates Open- Admission $3 4 p.m. — Rabbit Judging (Caged) in Rabbit Barn 6 p.m. — 4-H Beef Show in Livestock Arena 7 p.m. — Combine Derby 5:30-7 p.m. — Community Builders Craft Night in Alcoa Building (or outside) - free 7 p.m. — Karaoke Charlie at the Free Stage
THURSDAY,JULY21
7 a.m. — 4-H Kickball Tournament 11 a.m. — Mother Nature Minions with Soil and Water 11 a.m.-2 p.m. — 4-H Judging Competition Noon — 4-H Dairy Goat Show in Livestock Arena / Exotic Goat Show / Showmanship 1 p.m. — Afternoon Games 3 p.m. — 4-H Meat Goat Show in Livestock Arena 4 p.m. — Gates Open- Admission $3 6 p.m. — 4-H Rabbit Show in Farm Bureau Shelter 4-H Sheep Show in Livestock Arena 6 p.m. — Garden Tractor Pull 7 p.m. — Tractor Pull & Truck Pull in Arena PoDunk Willies on the Free Stage
FRIDAY,JULY22
9 a.m. — 4-H Dog Show in Alcoa Building 1 p.m. — Afternoon Games 2 p.m. — 4-H Livestock Auction in Livestock ArenaOnline 4 p.m. — Gates Open-Admission $3 4:30 p.m. — 4-H Recognition of Champions in Alcoa Building - FREE 6 p.m. — 4-H Livestock Supreme Showmanship in
Livestock Arena Mowers-Demo Derby – Outsiders Derby in Arena 7 p.m. — Demo Derby Outsiders Derby in Arena, with Power Wheels (kids class) Registration begins at 3 p.m. in the Arena Pits Crash & Bloom on the Free Stage 9:30 p.m. (or 30 minutes after the arena event concludes, whichever is first) — 4-H Livestock Checkout
SATURDAY,JULY23
6-10 a.m. — Check out 4-H Livestock including horse, poultry/rabbits TBD — Fishing Derby Registration at West Shelter House TBD — Fishing Derby at the Lake 9:30-10:30 a.m. — Check-out Extension Homemaker/Open Class exhibits Noon — Gates Open 1:30-3:45 p.m. — Tuff Truck Challenge Registration in Arena Pit 2-9 p.m. — Warrick Wows! Vendor Fair in Cattle Barn 4:30 p.m. — Pedal Tractor Pull Registration in Livestock Arena 5 p.m. — Tuff Truck Challenge in Livestock Arena 5:30-7:30 p.m. — Invitational Gospel Sing in the Alcoa Building, Hosted by Sue & Friends
SUNDAY,JULY24
1-2:30 p.m. — Check out 4-H projects and receive ribbons 2:30 p.m. — Final Teardown/Clean-up
Curb appeal
22 July/August 2022
The Boonville Garden Club is recognizing those who keep the community beautiful. In May, the club began its Yard of the Month project, honoring those who demonstrate
above-average efforts in maintaining their property, thereby contributing to the overall appearance of the community at large. The May honoree for Yard of the Month was Diana and Bill on Heim Road. Diana thanked the club. “(Thank you) for such a fantastic gift for my hard work. I feel like I made the Good Housekeeping magazine cover.” Diana showed the Boonville Garden Club members, Judy Titzer, Judy Heath, Mary Pate and Sue Cundiff her shade garden and raised bed vegetable gardens. She invited them to her kitchen for coffee and apple
BoonvilleView.com 23
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24 July/August 2022 cake after her garden tour. During June, Karen and Ron on Meadowlark Hills Road were awarded Yard of the Month, This couple grows their many and varied annuals in their own greenhouse. Each year, they pick a new color scheme for their flowers. Yard of the Month is a great award and the program is administered entirely by volunteers. For the months of May through October, the Boonville Garden Club members choose a lawn that best show qualities of uniqueness, beauty, cleanliness and appeal. Since the Boonville Garden Club mainly deals with curb appeal, awards are for front and side yards jointly, as well as the exterior of the house. The winner of the Yard of the Month is provided a decorative yard sign for display and a certificate of award. The sign welcomes new members to the Garden Club. The Boonville Garden Club meets the first Friday morning of the month and has a Facebook page. It is associated with the Garden
Club of Indiana (www.gardenclubofindiana.org). Meetings are held at Main Street Methodist Church in Boonville. It’s not all gardening and yards, though. On June 3, the club met to make small bouquets for Woodmont Health Campus residents. In July, they traveled to Mesker Zoo’s Amazonia and Penguin exhibit and lunched at Pie Pan. New members are welcome at all meetings. A new member luncheon will be held at the meeting on Nov. 4.
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26 July/August 2022
A lesson in
[HONOR] Jim & Gale Miller Campbell helped their dad decorate the local cemeteries for Memorial Day as kids. At that time, members of the Legion and/or VFW helped. “Those guys had it down to a science. We have a folder of each cemetery section. Veterans names are listed row by row in each section. Koehler’s and Bradley’s are pretty good keeping track of new burials for us. We usually find a new grave with a military marker of a veteran buried by an outside funeral home. Sometimes the family notifies the Veterans Office. Members of the BHS Beta Club, JD & his family, my brother and myself (recently decorated). Pretty sure Jim Koutz does some, if not all of the smaller cemeteries,” Gale said.
BoonvilleView.com 27
305 E. North St., Boonville, IN 47601psum
812-897-2810
28 July/August 2022
Best. Day.
ever.
BoonvilleView.com 29
Empowered women empower women. Amy Ward Leslie is putting her own spin on that piece of wisdom. As the best things in life do, though, L’Amour Best Day Events wasn’t her original goal. Seeing her bonus daugher walk down the aisle was. “I spent about 15 to 18 months helping my bonus daughter prepare and plan for her wedding during COVID,” Amy said. “Stores weren’t open or if they were, they were very limited on their stock. Then, just the time it takes to scour “I think the reason I went in that direction the websites, order stuff to your house, things was I love design and I love creativity,” she arrive and they’re not the color you thought said. “I’m creative. I’ve been in the architecthey were going to be, just the hassle. I realtural field now for 30 years. I’m a commerized that there’s a niche, there’s something cial interior designer. I work for an awesome here and others might have an interest.” company and I decided that I wanted to help When it was finally time to set it all up, it got people.” everybody talking. She still loves her day job and has no plans “From that, I had a lot of people who saw to leave, but event decor has become her cremy creativity, my attention to detail, and kind ative outlet. Kind of like a creative space away of pushed me and gave me the confidence from her daily creativity. saying, ‘You ought to do this on the side,’” she said. “‘This At Yesterdaze, we take is something that you have a pride in the quality of knack for and you’re a people our food, service, and At Our Gathering Place person and I think there could customer satisfaction. or Your Place! be an interest. Do it!”” Ironically, though, it was the men involved that really gave her the confidence boost to take the leap into making business out of decor - renting it Mon. - Thurs. 6-9 ¥ Fri. 6-10 ¥ Sat. 7-9 out, that is. 101 S 2nd St ¥ Boonville ¥ (812) 897-0858
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30 July/August 2022 “My work is deadline-focused at this point,” she said. “I do get to be creative, but a lot of times I find myself now just kind of sitting in front of a computer. I feel like I’m kind of the clean up batter. With my years of experience, I tend to be the one that after the fact comes in if there’s issues or problems, I’m the go-to girl. I felt like I wasn’t as fulfilled. This is my creative outlet.” Her business model is tailored to the do-ityourselfer. She asks the bride - or party-thrower - to meet with her to look at the available pieces. They take them to the event, set it all up, take it down after and bring it back. She is definitely willing to be more hands-on, though. “A lot of individuals are wanting me to come along and assist them with their help and their family’s help, because they do realize I have a keen eye for detail and I can put things together pretty quickly maybe in ways they never
thought of,” Amy said. Sustainabiility is also important. She said she looks for both beauty and quality, but she doesn’t expect an item to pay for itself in one rent. “I think you’ll find that you’ll get a good quality and a nicer looking product at the end of the day and you can rent it for a fraction of the cost that you can go buy it,” she said. “Then it all comes back to me and I sanitize it and it’s available for rent again. I think it’s a win-win. But honestly, I don’t think you can put a value on your time and sanity.” If L’Amour started as a family affair, it’s keeping the tradition. Amy’s husband, Butch, is operations manager at Boonville Natural Gas. Her father G.A. Ward, who passed away a couple months ago, was a fixture in Boonville. In addition to being the State Farm Insurance agent for years, he wholeheartedly supported Boonville High School sports. That’s convenience since her younger brother, Darin, is the head football coach at Boonville High School, their alma mater. “We grew up here and love our small town and love the connections we can make,” she said. “We love how everyone comes together.” That small town pride is part of what drives Amy in her business. “We are a community that, once you get to know people who live here, we’re very welcoming and we will rally behind any person and any cause,” she said. “It’s the sweet spot, the hidden gem in southern Indiana, I know Boonville gets a lot of flack sometimes from people from
BoonvilleView.com 31 Newburgh or even from Evansville, but I think those that eventually move here or spend more time here, they get it. We’re a community that cares. We’re definitely a community that I feel is starting to be more progressive and we’re showing more future-oriented approaches.” In the end, though, it’s all about the people and the connections she makes. L’Amour Best Day Events has a large selection of backdrops, florals, tablescapes, neon signs and more. Amy said that even if weddings are her first love - pun totally intended - she will rent items out for any event. Chances are, you’ve seen her work, particularly if you have been in downtown Boonville this year. Just before Christmas, she was approached and asked to decorate the windows at the corner of Locust and Third. She’s been keeping them pretty ever since. “I love people now knowing who is doing the windows,” Amy said. :I love when people stop me and compliment the windows. Some ask me what I’m going to do next. I tell them that I can’t say yet, but most of the time, I just don’t know yet. It’s fun. It’s been a lot of fun. I love this community. I love this small town. I remember being a little girl when the square was hopping. I remember going up to Julian’s and getting an ice cream sundae and walking around. There’s a lot of great memories. I remember the square thriving and then I remember there was a time period when storefronts were closed down. Anything I can do to help, I will.” She’s decorated for several Boonville High
School events, as well, all while keeping up with her “real” job and her new business. She survives on a lot of help from her family and friends and, she joked, a lot of Diet Coke. “I work full-time, so I have to make this manageable right now and I don’t want to give up one for the other,” Amy said. “It is definitely a family affair. Many times, I engage my husband and my younger brother. I have two nieces and they enjoy it. Occassionally, Blaire, my bonus daughter, is in town and she helps. I just have a lot of people in the community, good friends, who offer to help.” Looking forward, Amy said she is just looking to maintain the relationships she’s already made and foster new ones along the way. “I just hope I continue to be the immediate creative resource for brides and anyone that has an event they want to celebrate,” she said. “I hope to be there to help them save their time, save sanity and save money.” To contact L’Amour Best Day Events, call (812) 568-8847 or visit www.facebook.com/Lamour-Best-Day-EventsLLC-112397857742922.
32 July/August 2022
Is it a glimpse into the past or the Monarchs’ annual Rockin’ Around the Clock car show? Regardless, the View is great!
Boonville’s newest adornment!
HERE Send your pictures with the View to
YOU
could be
emily@boonvilleview.com!
Stop By The 1901 Emporium and see our large collection of toys, beds and more! 204 W. Locust Street in Historic Downtown Boonville
• Earthwork / Sitework • Drainage & Pond / Lake Construction • Demolition & Site Cleaning • Sanitary & Storm Sewers • Wetland Mitigation & Permitting • Residential & Commercial Construction
All proceeds from sales at the 1901 Emporium are donated to...
Family Owned and Operated Since 1976. We Offer Design and Consultation Services.
944 BAKER ROAD • BOONVILLE, IN 47601
812-897-5815
www.aignerconstruction.com
BOONVILLE
bulletin
34 July/August 2022
NATION A 19, the L NIGHT OUT is B back! D u been u oonville Polic e Depa e to Covidnable t o put o r for the n a Na tment has last tw t io o na will be y Tuesda ears. Nationa l Night out y, l Night City La Out ke. The Aug. 2 from 5 fin works, t but exp al details are o 7 p.m. at ect foo still in t The Bo d, infla he onville t a Police bles an commu D d e nit p f you wo y for support artment than un! ks the ing this uld like to dona p Boonvil te, plea rogram. If le Polic s e 6550. I e Depart fy ment a contact the t 812-8 ness an ou are a part 97of a Bo d on reserve would like to particip ville busia spot by callin at g the s e, please ame nu mber.
ÒDerrÕsÉ A Family Tradition for Over 100 Years!”
Call us at (812) 453-9768
is RKET A M S at ER FARM .m. to noon Y T N U a CO 30 RRICK ay from 7: A W ix e d r Th reat m y Satu ion. g r e a v e or res vil open nn Pa rket featu some fav u G d l a nd m al! Haro ear’s new a p loc This y rs - some t and sho ou do of ven ease come l ites. P
BoonvilleView.com 35
Every Thursday f
rom 5-8:30 p.m.!
Main Street Mortgage
The Boonville High School All-60s Reunion, themed “Lost in the ‘60s Tonight,” will be held Saturday, Oct. 8 from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Warrick County 4-H Center. All classmates from 1960 to 1969 are invited for an evening of fun, music and memories. The cost is $25 per person, which includes hors D’oeuvres and a cash bar. For more information, call or email Bob Lacer at 812-430-7884 or blacer66@aol.com, Greg Richmond at 812-573-9085 or rgallen22@ gmail.com, or Tina Baxter at 812-454-5665 or plbaxter@msn.com.
NoandPMI only
10.1% Down Friendly Hometown Banking NMLS 229852
www.peoplestrust.bank
812.842.2265
Offer is subject to credit approval. Closing costs apply. Property insurance is required. Property taxes and property insurance are not included in payment example. Consult a tax advisor for possible tax deductibility of interest. (Example: 30 Year Fixed Rate – Purchase Price: $250,000, Down Payment: 10.1%, Amount Financed: $224,475, APR: 3.67%*, 360 Monthly Payments of $1,024.98) *Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is accurate as of 06/25/2020 and subject to change. NMLS 229852
l a e v sa
36 July/August 2022
How to
The drug problem in Warrick County is real. According to the state health department, Warrick County ranks second to Vanderburgh on the number of overdose deaths and hospitalizations in the southern counties. The two culprits - meth and opioids. The biggest danger isn’t always in what addicts know they’re taking, though. “Meth is also very popular still, as it has been for the past decade,” Chrissy (Cryder) Anker said. “However, our meth is very often laced with fentanyl. So, even if a person’s drug of choice is not opiates in any way, shape or form, everything seems to be laced with it. We actually had someone overdose on marijuana not too long ago because it was laced with fentanyl.” Chrissy has worked in chemical dependency for several years now in Ohio. She’s a Boonville native, though, and has many ties to the recovery community in her hometown. She said that fentanyl is often mis-dosed, which is often deadly. “The opioid crisis is one thing and it’s a tragedy,” she said. “We’re seeing the decade-long effects of it at this point, However, the opioid crisis itself has nothing on fentanyl. I would consider it a completely separate crisis. It’s so deadly. Heroin is not good. None of the drugs are good. It’s not that I would advocate for any one (drug), but nobody truly knows how to dose
out fentanyl and people are dying.” That is why Naloxboxes are so important. These boxes, which are filled with overdosereversing Narcan, are put in public places and give those who love an addict a chance to save them. Chrissy said it’s not usually addicts themselves that utilize the boxes. “Addicts live among us,” she said. “They could be your sister, your mom, your kid, your wife, your husand. Addicts live among us, like anyone who has a chronic illness. So, having this available is saving someone’s mom, wife, sister, kid, etc. It takes on average, by statistics, seven go-arounds in treatment in order to achieve sustained recovery. That’s a lot.” Even better, it’s not an addictive drug. For those not on opioids, the most it will do is produce an uncomfortable feeling. “I carry two packs of Narcan in my purse at all times,” she said. “I am never without Narcan. My mom was getting her hair done and a person walked in off the street overdosing. The salon administered Narcan. My mom was the one who called 911... Quite likely, he would have died right there on the floor if they had not have Narcan.” Boonville currently has one box installed at the 1901 Emporium, with a few more on the way in other strategic locations. The boxes are in honor of James Carter, the grandson of Jean Carter, who died of a fentanyl overdose last
e f i l July. Jean has been vocal about the opioid crisis and is working to change the stigma attached to it. Chrissy said keeping the boxes in public places is huge. It helps those using them hide in plain sight. More than 40 doses of Narcan have been given out in the few months the boxes have been available. “That whole ‘you bring shame to our family name’ is alive and well in our society,” she said. “I think having them in non-traditional places is absolutely wonderful.” The common misconception is that these boxes will give addicts license to use more. Chrissy said that just isn’t the case. Narcan will reduce the effects of opioids for 30 to 90 minutes, so getting to a hospital is imperative. Sometimes it takes more than one dose.
BoonvilleView.com 37
“It’s a lifesaving drug,” she said. “It is not a quick fix, but if somebody fell on the floor in front of you, you’re going to start doing CPR. If somebody falls on the ground in front of you with a drug overdose, why are you not going to save them? It doesn’t make any sense.”
ParkerÕs Custom Ironworks, llc Earl and Miranda Parker 1100 Mt. Gilead Rd. Boonville, IN 47601
Top quality, custom designed ironwork and metal fabrication for commercial and residential projects.
966 Aigner Drive, Boonville • Call (812) 217-3481
Office: (812) 897-3007 Cell: (812) 457-2622 Email: liv2bend@twc.com
38 July/August 2022
Advertiser Index
1901 Emporium......................................................21 Kyle Krantz.............................................................23 Aigner Construction...............................................31
Parker’s Ironworks.................................................37
Boonville Federal.....................................................8
Pet Parlor...............................................................37
Boonville View.......................................................38 Commander’s Grill...................................................9 Cron’s Body Shop.................................................23 Derr’s......................................................................34 Dr. Hyndman..........................................................11 Farm Bureau..........................................................15
Peoples Trust and Savings Bank..........................35 Remedy Center......................................................34 Safe Step ..............................................................39 Town Square............................................................2 Transcendent ........................................................27
Freidman Park Event Center.................................40
Warrick Animal Guardians.....................................31
Generac Generators..............................................25
Woodmont.............................................................17
Greer’s Flooring.......................................................2
Yesterdaze.............................................................29
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