Voices

We offer Voices as a place to share a story, a memory, an idea, a comment, a criticism, or a solution. Contributors must include name, address & phone number.

Exploring Hendricks County

By Jackie Horn

“Weather” or Not

I looked out at the snow piling up outside my window and tried to recall what the winter forecast had been back in the fall. Was it supposed to be a colder than normal, snowy winter or mild and dry? Were the Woolly Bear caterpillars extra dark this year? Did the oak trees hold on to their leaves? Were the corn husks and onion skins thicker than usual?

Since Biblical times (and before), people used proverbs to predict the coming weather patterns: “He answered and said unto them, when it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red….” (Matt 16:2-3). A lot of people pooh-pooh weather proverbs as superstition, but it turns out several of our sayings have some scientific basis.

Several adages deal with animals and their behaviors prior to a change in weather conditions. Scientists know animals are more sensitive to changes in barometric pressure and humidity than humans and may react accordingly. Cattle feel the drop in pressure and lay down on the side of a hill. Before meteorologists were around to tell us a storm was coming, our ancestors would notice that when the cows lay down, it rains. The next time the cattle decided to lounge on the side of a hill, they were “predicting” a coming storm. A few other sayings that have scientific support include:

“If the goose honks high, fair weather. If the goose honks low, foul weather.” High barometric pressure indicates clear weather; low barometric pressure means rain and storms. Geese fly where the air density is best: higher in the sky when the pressure is high; lower when the pressure is low.

“When the ass begins to bray, surely rain will come that day.” Lower air pressure makes animals more active or irritable. Donkeys bray; dogs bark; even some humans feel grumpy when the pressure drops. (I know several folks who complain of headaches or achy joints when bad weather is coming.)

“If spiders are many and spinning their webs, the spell will soon be very dry.” Spiders’ webs absorb water, making them heavier and more apt to break. If it’s going to be wet, spiders stay in their hidey-hole and wait until the humidity is lower, then they spin webs.

Plant conditions were another means of “seeing” humidity and barometric pressure changes and “forecasting” weather trends.

“When dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.” The reasoning behind this adage has something to do with dew points and heat escaping and dispersing. I couldn’t quite understand the scientific explanation well enough to clearly explain it to someone else, but dewy grass is a sign of good weather. The jury is still out on the proverb, “Leaves turn upside down before a rain.” One “expert” said it is because the humidity changes rapidly before a storm, making the leaves limp and allowing the winds preceding the storm to flip them over. Another “expert” says nope, it’s just a breeze blowing them around. I don’t care- if the leaves flip, I’m grabbing an umbrella!

My grandmother was full of folk wisdom. A few of her favorite sayings were, “Six weeks after the Goldenrod blooms, expect frost.” It tends to work out that way. Goldenrod usually blooms in mid to late August and we can usually expect frost sometime in October.

“The frogs croak three times under ice before Spring arrives.” That means after the frogs start coming out during the first breath of Spring, don’t get too excited. It’s going to be cold at least three more times. If you’ve lived in Indiana for more than a few years, you know that’s true.

“If the oak trees don’t lose all their leaves in autumn, it’s going to be a hard winter.” The trees “hold on” to some of their leaves so the squirrels can refurbish their nests mid-winter. It made sense to me. The funny thing is, Science isn’t certain why some trees don’t lose all their leaves.

“Weather” or not you believe the old-timers’ adages, you might find yourself watching the cows and leaves a little bit closer from now on. ______________________________________________

A Girl’s Year Interrupted

By Elshadai Aberra

COVID-19. I remember it like it was yesterday… waitit was yesterday, and today, and what feels like is lasting forever.

A year since March 13, Avon was the first school district in the entire state to close due to COVID and we were told we’d return April 7 after two weeks of e-learning and another two weeks of spring break. They were wrong. Next, we were told that we would return in May after the nationwide lockdown. They were wrong yet again. The second half of my junior then torn away from me, prom and a proper graduation torn away from the Class of 2020. Yes, in the moment it all was disconcerting. I hated attending classes over Zoom, I wish I had went to prom, I wish I could’ve watched my friends graduate, I wish that– the list goes on, not just for me yet for everyone, as COVID, for lack of better terms, sucked. What I wish most of all, however, is that I took the pandemic seriously. I wish everyone took it seriously, or at least as seriously as most of us take it now. Honestly, quarantined life wasn’t so bad, I honestly wouldn’t have minded it lasting longer for a chance at normalcy.

Looking back, I remember masks being optional at grocery stories, more people on bikes and runs than I’d ever seen in my life, and families oddly going on walks around the neighborhood together. I remember a multiplex of trends going viral on social media platforms, celebrities ridiculously posting random videos of themselves or collaborations of them singing– it was a different life, a life most complained about due to how foreign it felt. But sometimes foreignness is beneficial and can open one’s eyes to what they need to change. Many, such as myself, discovered the mental illnesses they had kept hidden from themselves and finally sought help, others started exercising more and practicing self-care, most took up new hobbies, some dropped friends from their lives while others gained new ones, and some discovered the significance of sanitization and cleanliness. Yet what everyone seems to ignore, as devastating as it is, is the number of lives that were lost. The lives lost due to our deadly ignorance and defiance of a disease that overpowered us. Not the government, as some would say– yet a virus.

If we approached the pandemic the way we’ve learned to approach it now, I’m certain we wouldn’t be where we are today. With 2.56 million dead worldwide and 116 million infected at least once. Or from a simpler standpoint, I wouldn’t be typing this in a booth socially distanced from the one a booth away from me at a Panera, wearing a mask that honestly is not that comfortable.

Now, keep in mind that this isn’t me pointing fingers whatsoever (though some people are definitely a little more to blame for COVID’s spread than others). Transparently speaking, I was that idiot that couldn’t keep my mask above my nose at Walmart, the one complaining about having to stay indoors, or crying that I couldn’t get Chick-fil-A whenever I wanted, but I’ve changed now, and I think a lot of us have.

Honestly, this is just me wishing that I, along with the rest of the world, had been cognizant enough to take the pandemic more seriously a year ago and not when it was too late. I wish our society had not mindlessly believed that the Corona virus would end in two weeks when it’s now been a year and counting.

A Squirrel About Town

By Archy

“Of course, the majority of our genetic memory is passed down through our mothers,” Archy said. “The female of most species are generally more observant.”

I had asked Archy if squirrels celebrated Women’s History Month.

“I remember my several-great grandmother witnessed the arrival of the college in Danville in 1878,” the squirrel continued. “It was quite the event and the squirrels had the best seats in the trees to watch the parade. She remembered the carriage at the head of the caravan carrying the schools’ founder, William French Harper, and a woman of striking appearance and regal bearing.” “CeDora Lieuellen,” I said. “None other,” the squirrel said. “We squirrels admired her independence and intellect. In fact, several of my family moved to the trees at Lieuellen Cottage, as it was called, on North Wayne street to observe her. She did all landscaping herself and put up the first squirrel feeder in town. Wore trousers when she worked, you know. Practicality incarnate. She would have students over for discussions and lessons in rhetoric,” Archy said, calling up the image of the students lounging in the well-kept yard. “She had an interesting theory on teaching history as well. And you should have heard her recite her poetry parodies. We still discuss some of her ideas at the squirrel salon.”

I was a bit jealous of Archy’s historical connection to this fascinating woman.

“Of course,” he went on, “Many believe that she had an influence on other segments of this town, too. That’s why Danville has the reputation of having highly intellectual squirrels.”

If only her influence was still as strong on the present generation of people, I thought to myself. “Who says it isn’t?” Archy replied to my thoughts. ______________________________________________

ASK MR TRAFFIC

By Chet Skwarcan, PE, President/Founder of Traffic Engineering, Inc. Chet@TrafficEngineering.com

Should We Care About ‘Space Traffic’ Congestion?

Did Grampa Care About ‘Air Traffic’ Congestion?

When you hear the word, “traffic,” what emotions are emoted? Do you think of only car traffic? Or air traffic? We better start including space traffic…

Last July, three rockets from three different countries launched toward Mars — all within two weeks of each other. This was not a competition (?) but there was a small window of opportunity. Mars and Earth are only on the same side of the Sun every 26 months (I’m talking about earth months). If you miss this window, you will have to wait another two years to launch (i.e., earth years). Apparently, we have to see Mars when we launch. Makes sense — how else would we know where to point the rocket?

Space traffic is indeed becoming a concern. Space traffic includes launch vehicles, satellites, space debris, and of course, The International Space Station (TISS). Granted, there is only one space station (1SS) operating at present, but there about a dozen defunct space stations. Most of these disintegrated into a million pieces (an approximation) when they re-entered the atmosphere (now you know what your dog found).

Satellites, however, number around 6000! Only about half of these are currently active. But very soon, probably Tuesday, major companies including Amazon and Elon Musk, plan to add more than 50,000 additional satellites (that’s not a typo). This will make it very tricky to get to the moon (or even see the moon). And then there’s space debris (you can probably imagine what that entails)...

There’s urgent need to establish ground rules for space traffic. And because ground rules don’t apply to space traffic, we are talking about something that doesn’t exist. Who would ever imagine that “outer space” could get crowded? It wasn’t that long ago we had a similar attitude toward airspace. But planes and jets and drones (and geese) have changed all that.

The accelerated growth of the satellite population requires worldwide cooperation. There are valid concerns about satellite collisions. As the number of satellites increase, the potential for collision increase. Creating even more debris which in turn increases the likelihood of more collisions. Some debris remains in orbit and some debris disintegrates in the earth’s atmosphere. And since an orbital collision can occur at speeds up to 30,000 mph — you can understand how debris could result. “Fido, put that down!”

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Thanks to Hendricks Power Cooperative for being a partner of WYRZ. Were making a difference in Hendricks County! WYRZ is a 501c3 nonprofit and donations can be made out to: WYRZ, 701 N. Green St., Brownsburg, Indiana, 46112

Branch Trimming Tips and Tricks

By Colletta Kosiba Hendricks County Master Gardener

You saw a branch that needs to come off your tree, the weather is milder. A few tips:

First do not engage in tree topping. Tree topping is when the top main branches of a tree are cut back all the way to the trunk. People think this is the best way to keep branches from falling on the house during a storm. Tree topping severely damages the tree. The main branches may grow in again, but if they do, they will be much weaker. They are now vulnerable to damage or being destroyed in storms. (to see what the trees look like when topped- go south of 36 onto Stafford Rd- there are several blocks of trees to view. An arborist would not do this.

Once you cut the branch to the tree collar it will not grow back. the tree can grow new branches from buds near the site: these are new branches.

the right tools, make sure they are in operating condition, and know how to use them.

Ok- so on with your project. Proceed with caution! Remember cut only into the branch wood.

Do this carefully. Remember it takes two cuts to remove the branch. The first cut controls the weight of the limb and prevents tearing of the bark, the cut is done on the underside of limb about a third of the way into branch.

The second cut is made closer to the trunk to remove the limb. Do not make this cut any closer than the branch collar - 1 foot out from collar is safe. Now, the limb comes off without ripping the bark from the trunk of the tree.

You can make a third cut to trim branch to the tree collar so looks nice. Good Job.

While you are out there:

Look for any suckers. Suckers come up from around the tree: remove them, they rob nutrients and water from the tree.

Remove “water spouts” the growth that grows straight up from an outwardly extended branch, (you see these mostly on flowering or fruit trees).

Last but not least, havesomeone hold the ladder, be careful with power equipment. It is great to have someone to hand you the saw and just be there with you for safety.

“Good things come in trees.” Colletta

“It’s March”

By Judy Pingel

It’s March. It’s Indiana. That means it’s basketball time. There are “watch” parties planned in homes, although the groups are small and strictly limited. No longer are living rooms crowded with a large number of screaming partisans who could not get tickets to the “Big Game” and who had to settle for watching on TV.

This year no one is loudly complaining because they could get a ticket to actually BE at the game. Because this year there will be very few in the stands. All the excitement will be inside the homes. But there will be excitement. And cheers. And fans leaping up and screaming, “Did you SEE that!?!” It’s March. It’s Indiana. It’s basketball. So there will be excitement. And cheers. And, sometimes, disappointment.

But this is nothing compared to the electric atmosphere in Danville in the 1930’s, 40’s, and 50’s. Then, the town was full to overflowing and the search for a parking spot around the square was similar to trying to find a space in the Walmart parking lot at Christmas. For some people this was about the only time they visited the county seat. For others, this was familiar territory, but an unfamiliar situation. Usually Danville was tranquil - you might even say, “sleepy.” The pace was slow. The stores no so busy that customers could not stop to talk and joke. Not at Tourney Time.

At Tourney Time, people were in a hurry to get back to “The College Gym” so they did not miss a minute of the action. And there was action. And not always inside the gym where high school boys were defending the honor of their home community.

There always was a crowd milling around on the sidewalk outside the gym. Some people were trying desperately to get a ticket to see “their” team play. It was almost a bidding war to try to obtain that priceless piece of admission. And those (do not know whether to call them “unfortunate,” because their team had lost and was now out of the tourney, or “fortunate” because they now had a chance to make some money) who were going home early.

There was also a group who were taking a break form the action and were having a smoke - in fact there often was almost a cloud of smoke hovering over the front of the gym.

I will not mention the few who gathered in the alley beside the gym to share a little “liquid refreshment.” They were usually quite and trying to be discreet - after all there always were women in the crowd in front of the gym, and a mob of teenagers and younger children as well.

Once in a while voices were raised in anger as emotion ran high. After all, the tourney winner not only got a trophy to take home, but his whole community got “bragging rights” for almost a year. Those 15-16-17 year old boys carried a lot of responsibility. Winning was important. Most of he smaller schools did not have football teams, so basketball was IT. The basketball team was the pride of each town and the game was serious business. Particularly at Tourney Time. Not only was it important to the students, but being at the game was important to community members. So, getting a ticket was serious business.

The College Gym in Danville was the largest in the county at that time. But there was no way all the fans from the 12 county teams could crowd inside at one time. Hence the scramble for a ticket. A

nd inside the gym it was fierce. Each school had a vocal cheer block of students. And an even more vocal one - the cheers were not as organized - of adults. It was mayhem. It was LOUD. And even if your team was not playing in that particular game, you chose a side and yelled. (“Anybody but Danville,” was always a popular choice.)

The top row beneath the open windows was were the rowdiest fans gathered. The view was good. The conditions not so good. You see, that is where the radiators were localed. And to keep the temperature on the playing court comfortable, the radiators ran at full blast. Temperature on the top row was above 90° while the boys down on the court were playing at a chilly 65°. To keep the top row fans from having a heat stroke, all the windows were open. Environmentalists would have a field day with that! The situation of having the radiators running at full speed while the windows are wide open was a perfect example of choosing between heat stroke and frost bite. Plus, there was enough condensation on the windows to look like it was raining outside.

Down on the court, cheerleaders and team members were deadly serious. It did not matter if the team had a losing season. Every teen-ager in that gym - and most adults, too - was sure that their team would be Sectional Champs.

Some things still have not changed. The location is different the crowd is smaller. There certainly are fewer schools, thanks to consolidation. But after all, it is still March. It is still Indiana. And it is still basketball.

Our Readers Write

A couple of weeks ago I saw a notice in The Republican that a coloring group met the first Wednesday of the month at The Gallery on the Square from 10-12. The last time I colored was probably with my granddaughters 20 years ago. I know a lot of people buy adult coloring books in which to color. I decided I would like to try it. There is a $5.00 charge which is donated to the gallery . There are many coloring books to choose from and colored pencils are provided. The group consisted of about 6 ladies who were all very friendly and welcoming. When you color you can talk, which I really like. I found that I had two hours when I didn’t have to think about covid, politics, and so many other unpleasant things. I could have bought a coloring book and pencils and colored at home but I would not have met six possible new friends. I’ve already signed up for April and May. A person needs to sign up. Telephone # 317-386-3111. I am going to ask family members to put my coloring pages on their fridge since I did that for them.

Bee Jones Brownsburg

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MASTERING THE HOUSE useful tips for homeowners

Tim Paino Owner/Inspector Heartland HouseMaster

Can Your Family Escape?

It is that time of year again when we spring forward into daylight savings time. Not only do we change the time on all our clocks, but we are reminded to check the smoke detectors in the home. As a home inspector we will test the operation of the smoke detector only to find the battery has been removed, the device does not work, or the test alarm causes the batteries energy level to go low enough the warning beeping begins. Rather than being awaken in the middle of the night to hunt for the chirping sound, replace the battery while you are wide awake, and ladder in hand.

Besides making sure all the smoke alarms are properly placed (at least one outside the sleeping rooms and on each level of the home) and functioning, your family needs an escape plan. Make sure everyone knows how to leave the home in the event of a fire. The National Fire Protection Association’s (nafp.org) has an article on “How to Make a Home Fire Escape Plan” giving you detailed instructions on putting a plan together for your family. The very first thing to do is involve everyone family member in making the plan so everybody understands the importance of getting out and staying out. A meeting place should be designated so you know everybody has made it out. There should be two paths of exit, which brings me to the egress window.

When the home was built the code required every sleeping room have an egress window. This is a window when opened is at least 20 inches wide, 24 inches high and no further than 44 inches off the floor (simplified definition). Many homes have either been modified, putting bedrooms in basements, or not maintained with windows that properly open. Along with checking those batteries in the smoke detectors, take the time to open and close the windows in each bedroom. Can the child occupying the room open the window, remove the screen, and climb out? If not, someone will need to be assigned to assist in the event of a fire?

A basement egress window needs a window well having a landing of at least 3 feet by 3 feet. If the window well is deeper than 44 inches, it must have a ladder to assist in escaping. These wells then may be equipped with a cover to prevent someone from falling in. If that is the case, can it be opened easily from the underneath side? Checking every escape path to assure there is a clear path to exit the home could save a life in an emergency.

Spring is coming, we cannot wait to get outside. Let us make sure everyone can make it out! Especially in an emergency. ______________________________________________

A Fishy Story

My parents took us on a week vacation to the Dale Hollow Reservoir during my 10th year. They had rented a cabin with a boat. My Dad, brother Ron, and I loved to fish and catching stripe bass on this lake was exciting.

You would motor down the lake slowly looking for a disturbance on the surface of the lake along the shore. This was caused by a large school of shade minnows. When you spotted one, you cut the motor and quietly cruised into the disturbance and cast a silver spoon bait right into it You would usually catch 2 or 3 then they would move on.

It was on the third night of our trip that a funny thing happened. It was about 10 p.m. and I realized I had left something in the boat, probably my flashlight. I went down to the dock and went to our boat, climbed in and started looking. It just happened that there was a light on the dock down low, almost to the water, to help people see where they were going. There were lots of bugs and I noticed, occasionally, a fish would come up and catch a bug. I remembered that we had 5 or 6 minnows leftover in the minnow bucket, so I put one my pole and dropped it in the water. I bobbed it up and down and, wham, a fish. Wow, that was cool. I tried another and caught another fish. Soon I was out of bait. I took the fish up to the cabin and Dad cleaned them. Everyone was excited.

The next night, about 10 p.m., I wandered down to the dock with a few minnows. Guess what? There must have been 25 people all over the dock fishing. I couldn’t even get on the dock. Guess word travels fast sometimes. I didn’t care. It was fun.

Noel Gatlin

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Our Readers Write

Dear Editor:

The Danville Town Plan Commission & Council face nearly five decades of delay in building a bypass or widening 36 west of Kroger in the proposed annexation of Miles Farms west of Mackey Road, north side of 36. (I live just east of Miles Farms.)

Miles Farms is to be turned in to nearly 400 acres of 1500 homes & apartment units across from Clear Creek & the high school. Problem: 90 percent or so of those leaving the subdivision will turn left or east (there is no north south road to speak of), unlike those leaving Clear Creek, who mostly turn right. Turning left can be lethal, & is 10 times harder than turning right. Ask any driver ed student. Two lanes of 36 are not enough to handle new traffic loads the subdivision promises.

Common sense tells us you build road capacity before increasing population, sort of like letting those leaving an elevator get out before entrants get in. Expansion or diversion of U.S. 36 falls to The Indiana Department of Transportation and Indiana Highway Commission, who offered in the 1970’s to build a bypass for free. We turned them down. (Now the cost of land acquisition to widen lanes or bypass what we have doubtless has ballooned a great deal.)

Unless we are willing to put in three stop lights and let this new subdivision flounder on its own, the prudent course is plain. Begin prodding the state to spend millions to expand 36 or bypass this area altogether before approving a subdivision that will yield another 2,000 or so vehicles in garages proposed to be built across from Dave’s All American Pizza.

The propensity for congestion is obvious: Miles Farms is just north of the High School, a half mile north of South Elementary & The Middle School. And all this is to say nothing of the impact on road maintenance & water & sewer infrastructure. I urge delay here until traffic concerns are put to rest.

Sincerely, Greg Black Danville

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Send Your Letters To The Editor To P.O. Box 149, Danville, IN 46122 or betty@therepublicannewspaper.com Names may be withheld on request