SERVING HENDRICKS COUNTY SINCE 1847
Thursday, March 18, 2021
The Republican
Page A-3
Hendricks County Honors Lives Lost in “Brighter Together”
The community, both live and virtual participated in a moment of silence. _______________________________________________________________________________
Over 300 luminarias were placed in front of Avon Town Hall Park honoring those lives lost in COVID-19. _______________________________________________________________________________
By Melissa Gibson Saturday evening the community gathered for a candlelight vigil, honoring the more than 300 lives lost during the COVID-19 crisis to date. It’s been one year since former President Donald Trump declared the pandemic a national emergency and leaders from Danville, Plainfield, Avon and Brownsburg held a special remembrance ceremony at Avon Town Park.
Hendricks County Community Foundation CEO, William Rhodehamel welcomes the audience. _____________________________________
Against the backdrop of hundreds of luminarias, event host, William Rhodehamel, President and CEO of the Hendricks County Community Foundation commended the community for their response during the pandemic.
“We honor those whose lives we’ve lost and those lives that have been affected through this terrible time. There is hope. We need to be dedicated to the task before us. It seems we may be getting through this,” Rhodehamel said. Plainfield Police Chief Jared McKee delivered the main address to those in virtual and live attendance. “Our lives were dramatically flipped upside down in a matter of days. Of the more than 500,000 deaths and 29 million who have contracted the virus, Hendricks County has lost 323 lives,” McKee said. He reflected on the “destructive trail” left behind and a current mental health crisis from isolation and uncertainty and asked the community to focus on the joy and peace that has emerged from the difficult time. While fear has gripped families across the county and the world, McKee chooses to focus on the blessings that have come from the crisis. “I’ve seen ‘love thy neighbor’ played out on a daily basis; groceries delivered to those who couldn’t get out, checking on the elderly was more than just once in a while, but routine. We’ve recognized the essentialness of our grocery workers and drivers so we could stay locked in our homes. Our first responders, health care workers and teachers became local heroes as we navigated the unknown.” McKee reminded the audience of educators scrambling to find new ways to engage with children learning from home and police officers participating in drive-by birthday parties for kids in the community that couldn’t have the birthday party they had planned. He reflected on the additional unrest in the world when equality, inclusion and diversity conversations hit the nation with echoes of ‘I can’t breathe’ being heard and protests caused leaders around the country to gather and unite. “I believe there was no better time to
Plainfield Police Chief Jared McKee addressed the audience: “I’ve seen ‘love thy neighbor’ played out on a daily basis; groceries delivered to those who couldn’t get out, checking on the elderly was more than just once in a while, but routine.” _______________________________________________________________________________
begin these tough conversations. Community leaders came together and spent time listening and responding with compassion,” McKee said. Drawing a metaphor of towering redwoods, vulnerable when standing alone, McKee encouraged the community to stand together and to take the seeds that have been planted out of crisis to grow into a better tomorrow. Speaking of those in the community lost to COVID-19, McKee said, “Their life was cut short. Be the change you want to see.” The speech was followed by a moment
of silence as members of the community walked forward with lighted candles. As of the March 9 meeting of Hendricks County Commissioners, Dr. Stopperich of the Hendricks County Health Department reported the 7-day positivity rate had decreased to 4.1 percent. Approximately 35,000 residents had received their first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine and 21,000 have received both doses. Today, those 50 years old or older can receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Visit orushot.in.gov, call 211 or call your local library to register for vaccination.
County Garden Club To Hear About Federal Election History
The Hendricks County Garden Club is pleased to welcome our own Barbara Stauch as she introduces us to her historical review of U.S. federal elections. While we will not be discussing the most current election, Barbara tells us that there is much to learn from considering the elections of the past. She’ll share interesting and sometimes contentious issues from our history of federal elections. With her degree in historic research from Butler University, Barbara has a unique talent for digging up the realities of the past. She’ll reveal interesting tidbits about the First Ladies as well. For example, do you know why John Quincy Adams’ wife Louisa was so upset with Andrew Jackson? A native of Hendricks County, and a member of the Merritt family of early pioneers in the area, Barbara Stauch has dedicated her life to educating others. Whether teaching history and social studies during her 25-year tenure at Brownsburg High School, or teaching gardeners and floral arrangers how to improve their craft, Barbara is an engaging and knowledgeable educator. (Fun fact: Barbara’s ancestor, William Merritt is listed as a voter in the polling books for the first general election held in the county on August 7, 1826.) As garden club members, we are dedicated to not only beautifying our community, but to being well-informed, involved citizens. We’re looking forward to learning from Barbara. The free virtual meeting takes place on Wednesday, March 24, from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. To register, send an e-mail to seoyder@hotmail.com or call 317-908-1905. This is a casual, free event, but you must pre-register to participate. You don’t have to live in Hendricks County Indiana to participate - everyone is welcome. We will use the virtual meeting software, ZOOM. You don’t need special software to participate, just a computer or phone. Join us on camera, or simply with audio. Once you register, you’ll receive a link and password to participate! In these times of physical distancing, the Hendricks County Garden Club is committed to eliminating social isolation. Please join us! ______________________________________________________________________
