Front Page

Honoring Lives Lost

Next month, the country will mark the one year anniversary of President Donald J. Trump declaring a national emergency due to COVID-19. To honor those in Hendricks County who have lost their lives during the pandemic, officials representing the towns of Avon, Brownsburg, Danville and Plainfield will come together to host a livestreamed event called “Brighter Together,” a virtual candlelight vigil on Sat., March 13 at the Avon Town Hall Park, 6570 E US Hwy 36.

Due to the ongoing pandemic, the public is asked to stay home and participate in the ceremony by placing a candle in their windows to show their support. The virtual ceremony will be live-streamed on Facebook at https://www.facebook. com/hendrickscountycommunityfoundation beginning at 7 p.m.

Nearly 350 luminarias will be placed at Avon Town Hall Park to honor every Hendricks County resident who has passed away from the virus.

The agenda for the evening includes a keynote speech by Town of Plainfield Police Chief Jared McKee, comments by Hendricks County Community Foundation President William Rhodehamel, and a moment of silence in honor of the lives lost.

More information about the event can be found at https:// www.facebook.com/events/255407579396512 ______________________________________________

Gov. Extends Public Health Emergency

For the 12th time, Governor Eric J. Holcomb issued an executive order to renew the Public Health Emergency for the COVID-19 outbreak.

And for the 4th time, the Governor ordered the continuation of county-based measures and restrictions to help contain the impact and spread of the disease.

For the past several weeks, Hendricks County has remained at the Yellow Advisory Level.

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COVID Vaccine Update

Individuals 55 and over are now eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. If you are currently eligible, you can register for your first vaccine by visiting ourshot.in.gov or by calling the local Hendricks County libraries.

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Got News?

Deadline for news items is Monday for Thursday’s issue. Call 317-745-2777 or send an e-mail to betty@ therepublicannewspaper.com

Local Women Serve As 2021 500 Festival Princesses

MIRANDA BIEGHLER

CLAIRE RIGHTLEY

The 500 Festival, a nonprofit organization providing life-enriching events and programs that celebrate the spirit and legacy of the Indianapolis 500®, today announces that two college-aged women from Hendricks County have been selected to serve as 2021 500 Festival Princesses.

Miranda Bieghler, Plainfield, a graduate of South Putnam High School and a junior at Manchester University majoring in elementary education.

Claire Rightley, Avon, a graduate of Avon High School and a junior at Purdue University majoring in cybersecurity.

The 500 Festival Princess Program, presented by The National Bank of Indianapolis, has a long history of celebrating Indiana’s most civic-minded, academically driven young women. Serving as a 500 Festival Princess provides young women with countless opportunities for leadership and professional development.

The 500 Festival Princesses will virtually participate in the 500 Festival Leadership Development Program, presented by BKD, empowering participants to make a profound impact within their community and Indiana. In addition, each 500 Festival Princess will receive a $1,000 scholarship, made possible by Marlyne Sexton, an Indianapolis philanthropist and president of The Sexton Companies, and the 500 Festival Foundation. Since the program’s launch, more than 2,000 Indiana women have experienced the honor of serving as a 500 Festival Princess.

Community Grants For Recycling

Each year the Hendricks County Recycling District offers grants to local tax-exempt and not-for-profit organizations that take on projects that further the District’s mission of waste reduction, reuse and recycling. Places of worship, schools, charities and service organizations are encouraged to apply.

Since 2006, the District has awarded nearly $300,000 in grants to organizations here in Hendricks County. Past projects that have been approved include purchasing new recycling receptacles, recycled plastic picnic tables, dinnerware, water bottle refill stations, reusable shopping totes and more.

The District has earmarked $10,000 for the Spring 2021 round of Community Grants Program and applications are now being accepted.

All applications must be received by March 19, 2021; awards will likely be announced by May 1, 2021.

To download a Community Grants Program Guide and application for Spring 2021, visit recyclehendrickscounty.org. For more information about the Community Grants Program, email Lenn Detwiler.

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Invasive Species Group Mission Statement

Committee members of the new group effort to combat invasive plant species in Hendricks County have approved a mission statement.

The statement: “Recognizing the negative impact of invasive plant species on human, animal, native plant health, and the environment, the Hendricks County Invasive Management Cooperative provides education, resources and training on the identification and removal of those species.”

Organized last year, the all-volunteer HC-IMC already has assembled teams to tackle invasive plants – Weed Wrangles – at Brownsburg Parks, the B&O Trail, and the Vandalia Trail.

The next Weed Wrangle is March 6, from 1 - 4 p.m. at Brownsburg’s Williams Park. Pleasant Acres Nature Park in Jamestown hosts on March 13.

HC-IMC plans a minimum of 10 Weed Wrangles during 2021, along with some public outreach activities.

Call (317) 745-2555, ext. 3, for more information about HC-IMC. To learn more about participating in the Williams Park event, call (317) 858-4172.

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Annual Maple Syrup Days Returns to McCloud Park

By Melissa Gibson

Sap slowly drips from one of the trees tapped at McCloud Nature Park as part of the Maple Syrup Days event. It takes 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup. Visitors can see the process themselves on Saturdays, March 6 and 13, from 9 a.m to 3 p.m.

On Saturdays, March 6 and 13, McCloud Nature Park will celebrate an early settlers and Native American tradition. Guests can watch the process of making maple syrup from tapping the tree, to the modern evaporator to the bottle you pour on your pancakes in the morning.

Park Naturalist Sarah Wolf and her team will share the story of how Native Americans discovered sap from North American maple trees, which led to syrup and maple candy – a special treat used for trade.

“This was a really lean time for settlers and Native Americans,” Wolf explained. “Before spring has begun and the winter is kind of dragging on – it’s a food high in calories and was used as a survival food. Early settlers would set up sugar camps . . . and they would boil the sap around the clock,” Wolf said. The sugar camps were kind of a celebration – a big party, like a festival each year.”

A guided tour will be provided at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. both Saturdays but families can walk through the tour self-guided between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. if they wish.

Throughout the tour, a scavenger hunt (picked up at the Nature Center) will lead individuals on a half-mile hike. Crafts will be offered at the Nature Center to take home and continue the discussion.

“At the sugar shack station, we show a bottle of syrup and then a bottle of the corn syrup and ask guests to look at the ingredient list. I think learning about the things we put in our bodies sometimes surprises people. It helps people understand why it’s so expensive at the store. It takes 40 gallons of sap to make one gallon of syrup,” Wolf added.

Guided tours may be limited based on the numbers interested. Masks are required inside the Nature Center and in the restrooms but not outside if groups can safely distance.

Wear clothes for the weather outside – boots or waterproof footwear and layers are recommended. The ground is soft making it difficult for most strollers or wheelchairs.

McCloud Nature Park is located at 1818 Hughes Rd., North Salem. For more information visit https://hendrickscountyparks.org.

Fish Dinner At Legion Post

Teach a man to fish, and he won’t catch a better deal than the Fish Dinner at American Legion Post 118, 846 S. SR 39, Danville. Leave the bait bucket at home and head for the Legion Post on Friday, March 5, from 5 to 7 p.m. Eat in or carry out. The public is invited to attend.

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Tri-West Scholarship

The Jackie & Larry Sparks Memorial Scholarship opened March 1, 2021.

Tri-West High School Alumni seeking an undergraduate degree who will complete at least one year of post-secondary schooling by June 1, 2021 are eligible to apply. Applications are due May 31, 2021.

To apply, go to Tri-West. DollarsforScholars.org.

HCHS Pet Food Pantry

Hendricks County Humane Society’s Pet Food Pantry is still operating. You don’t have to be an existing Pet Food Pantry recipient - just call 317-745- 3338, answer some simple informational questions, and you can receive dog or cat food (& litter) as available. Arrangements will be made for pickup.

The HCHS Pet Food Pantry is part of the County Food Pantry Coalition, and also participates in three Gleaners Mobile Food Pantry distributions. For more information about the Hendricks County Humane Society, visit the website at hendrickshumane.org.

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Legislative Breakfast Series Resumes

Sen. John Crane, Sen. Mike Young, Rep. Greg Steuerwald, Rep. Jeff Thompson, and Rep. Bob Behning have been invited to speak at the Legislative Breakfasts.

Hendricks Power Cooperative, Hendricks County Farm Bureau and North Salem State Bank have announced they will resume hosting the 2021 Legislative Breakfast series during the months of March and April. Events will be held on Monday, March 29 and Monday, April 26 at the Hendricks Power Exposition Hall, located within the Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds in Danville.

Elected officials Sen. John Crane, Sen. Mike Young, Rep. Greg Steuerwald, Rep. Jeff Thompson, and Rep. Bob Behning have been invited to speak on issues related to the current legislative session. The event is open to the public, with questions from the audience being addressed as time allows. It is requested that masks be worn and social distancing practices be observed.

Breakfast will begin promptly at 7 a.m., continental style. Please RSVP with reservations to janna.bolen@infarmbureau.com no later than March 25 and/or April 22.