16 minute read
Voices
Exploring Hendricks County
By Jackie Horn
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Name that trail! A guide to McCloud Nature Park’s trail system lists the names of the trails, as well as symbols that are posted along the different paths.
I’ll say it quietly so as not to jinx it, “SPRING IS HERE!” Oh, we may still get a freeze (I don’t feel confident of being frostfree until Mother’s Day) but I am optimistic. This past week John and I made it up to McCloud Nature Park near North Salem and the wildflowers were amazing!
Bluebells are among the breeze. Several others spring flowers at McCloud. were taking advantage of the day to enjoy McCloud as well.
It was a gorgeous day, sunny and warm with a breeze.
We saw families hiking, a home school group studying and a few brave souls wading in the creek. (That water had to be cold!) While tadpoles are cool, I love plants. Spring ephemeral wildflowers are my favorite and this was the place to be.
John and I chose the White Tail Ravine Trail to hike.
Parking in the lot in front of the Nature Center, John and I popped in to say a quick “hello” to the turtles and snake exhibited and grabbed a map. Walking past the pines and picnic gazebo behind the building, we skirted the Arboretum and crossed the truss bridge spanning Big Walnut Creek. Of course, we had to stop on the bridge to check the water flow, spot fish, and take a selfie.
Jackie and John met other folks seeking some time with nature at McCloud. Above, Adam, Stephanie, and Sadie Burdsall. (Sadie is the one with the chew stick.
The Nielson family enjoyed their day at McCloud Nature Park.
Fox Chase Trail at McCloud Nature Park.
At the end of the bridge, the trails split off. Taking the right fork we began climbing a hill, a long, steep hill. At the top, the trail changes names from Big Walnut Crossing to Fox Chase. On the left is an old farm field that’s been planted with trees. On the right is the slope of a deep ravine. There before us was all the beauty of an early spring day. Redbud trees edged the woods. Dame’s Rocket, Blood Root, Spring Beauty, and Trout Lily covered the ground. Bird songs filled the air. Does it get any better?
We continued walking and Fox Chase connects with Woodland Way. Woodland Way Trail rings a reforested field. We stayed on it a short distance before Whitetail Ravine Trail broke off to the right.
Whitetail Ravine Trail begins as a steep, gradedlimestone road. At the bottom of the ravine, the path flattens and meanders through a new growth forest alongside Big Walnut Creek. The trail was damp and deer tracks in the mud reminded us why it’s named “Whitetail Ravine”. Here Buckeye trees and Virginia Bluebells were blooming. Too soon the loop ended and the trail returned us to
A buckeye tree getting ready to bloom.
the limestone road. It’s an easy walk down but this road is the only way back to the parking lot unless a hiker feels like wading the creek. In summer when the water level is lower, there are a few places that can be crossed and used as a shortcut, but not this day. The water was too deep to rock hop and too chilly to wade up to my thighs. Up we went, huffing and puffing.
View from Eagle Aerie Overlook.
John and I backtracked to the intersection of Fox Chase, Woodland Way, and Coyote Ridge trails. Wanting to see something different, we opted for Coyote Ridge to the Overlook trail. From the three overlooks, Eagle Aerie, Pileated Peak, and Cardinal Perch, we could see the bend in the creek below and the wetland boardwalk and observation area. Coyote Ridge joins with the Big Walnut Crossing which returned us to the bridge and where we started.
By the time this article is published, the Trout Lilies and Bluebells will be gone. We only get to enjoy them for a short time. The good news is there will be others. The Dutchmen’s Britches, Mayapples, Solomon’s Seal, and Woodland Poppies are just waiting for their turns to show off.
McCloud Nature Park is located at 8518 Hughes Road, North Salem. For more about Hendricks County Parks & Recreation, visit hendrickscountyparks.org.
ASK MR. TRAFFIC
By Chet Skwarcan, PE, President/ Founder of Traffic Engineering, Inc. Chet@TrafficEngineering.com
Imagine — No Traffic Problems
Dream or Nightmare?
I visited a community recently that was not experiencing growing pains. There were no new restaurants, no new houses, no new retail, and as far as I could tell, no plans for anything.
But, the good news? No traffic problems! The great thing about living in a dormant community is it’s super easy to drive anywhere. Granted, not too many places to go, but, it sure is easy to get around.
On the contrary, it doesn’t take a rocket surgeon to realize growing communities create increased traffic. If a community is desirable, and new restaurants, new retail, and new houses are appearing (e.g., if you moved there), increased traffic is a natural by-product.
For some, increased traffic is a good excuse to find fault with new development (if you’re looking for excuses). For others, increased traffic is a good excuse to maintain roadway plans (if you’re looking for an excuse to remain an inviting and attractive community). But if you do not wish to grow, well, I guess any excuse will do.
Bottom line, a community is either growing and desirable (traffic increases) or it’s not (traffic decreases). So, what comes first? Is it the chicken or the egg? They both come first — shouldn’t have one without the other (and probably don’t want one without the other).
The rate of growth and the rate of roadway improvements both fluctuate (and seldom coincide), thus, it is important roadway plans be ongoing. It doesn’t take a brain scientist to understand the value of having a plan. A plan means eventually (and occasionally) everything makes sense...
A Squirrel About Town
By Archy
I sat down next to the squirrel on the south side of the court house yard for a casual conversation. “Whadda ya know, Archy?” I began. “I know how the grass feels softest in April when you scamper across it,” he answered. “I know how the early spring flowers are so optimistic they don’t mind sharing the world with the snow. I know how the leaves budding on the trees turn an electric green as they first begin to open. I know the difference between the sun and shade changes with the seasons.”
I realized the difference between a casual greeting and a rhetorical question wasn’t always obvious to squirrels.
“You left that door wide open,” Archy chuckled. Don’t you think it would be a good exercise for all of us to stop and realize all the little things we know.”
I started making a mental list. Making a knot in the thread before I sew by looping it around my finger and rubbing with my thumb. Baking a pie using leftover biscuits, milk, and sugar. How to tie a miller’s knot on a sack of feed. I know when I forget computer shortcut keys my fingers can remember them. I know that in fourth grade I learned the mneomic trick for spelling arithmetic: A Rat In The House Might Eat The Ice Cream.
“Knowledge comes in all sizes,” Archy said. “Even the small things have importance. Like poetry, even a word or phrase can carry as much meaning than an entire book. Makes you think, doesn’t it?”
I looked at the squirrel and realized that I knew the angle his head tilted when he was thinking and the way he rose up like a periscope when he heard a noise.
“That’s your assignment,” he laughed. “Make a list of the things you know - about people and about life.”
Flowers? Perennials or Annuals (or Both!)
By Colletta Kosiba Hendricks CountyMaster Gardener
Black-eyed Susan is a perennial that will bloom every year.
Annuals or Perennials
Are you excited about growing flowers this year? Now that it has warmed up, I am ready! Sadly, It is still too early to plant. Here are some things to consider before you dash into the nursery to buy. Make a map or at least make a list of what you need after consideration of your site.
Do you want Annuals or perennials? Annuals will bloom all year until frost kills them., Perennials come back every year but only bloom for about 6 weeks. Do you have sun or shade? What’s the bed size? Large bed, plant shorter plants in front.
Consider the Foliage textures and forms of the flowers, (sharp spikes, soft globes.)
Wowie! Yes, you do have lots of choices. Do you see why it is best to research and plan before shopping?
Characteristics Annuals
• Live for one season
• Must be replaced each spring
• Bloom all summer long, up until frost (some need deadheaded)
• Compact root systems; may use in containers
• No dividing necessary
• Do not overwinter Perennials
• Live for two or more years
• Will resprout each spring from overwintered roots
• Peak bloom often lasts a 5-6 weeks;
• More extensive root systems
• May need dividing every few years
You may plant annuals and perennials in same area –It is best if they all require the same amount of water and sunlight.
You may plant annuals and perennials in same area –It is best if they all require the same amount of water and sunlight.
You will like the look if you plant 3-5 of same plant in triangle or curve. Plants spaced too far apart do not look good to you or anyone else.
Remember to mulch around all flowers to cover ground, help keep moist and retard weeds.
Your indoor plants need a graduate introduction to life on the outside.
“Harden off”
Soon it will be time to transplant seedlings outdoors. “Harden them off” first, which means to toughen up your plants a bit. They’ve spent their entire life in a 70-ish degree climate. Now you are putting then outside, they are shocked to feel an overnight temperate that maybe to near freezing.
To help them adjust, gradually condition them over a week to 10 days to outdoor temperatures. Day1 - place outdoors for one hour, not in direct sun Day 2 - add an hour Continue this process adding an hour a day and more time in sun. By end of a week, you can leave seedlings out into evening if it is a frost-free night. After a week to 10 days, plant outside.
Your purchased plants will appreciate this hardening off process as well, unless you know for a fact they were left outside for several days and nights before you brought them home.
What gets bigger the more you take away? A hole.
Gardening for ALL Ages
Saturday, April 24 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Hendricks County Fairgrounds, 1900 E. Main, in Danville, in the Equine Pavilion, which is at the northern end of the Fairgrounds - Site changed this year due to Vaccine Clinic being held at fairgrounds. You all come, too! Thanks!
Colletta Kosiba
A Note From Bee
I don’t know where I got the idea to keep a running list of funny things my three grandsons said or did on my computer. I have since suggested to my friends who have grandchildren to do the same thing.
Bob:
He was saying his bedtime time prayers and he asked his mom if she had any prayer requests.
When he was about four, he became obsessed with penises. He thought everyone should have one. It was winter time and grandma Carolyn’s scarf hung down below her coat. He asked her if that was her penis
His dog was playing too roughly with the kittens. He told her, “That is unacceptable behavior.” He asked his mom if this same dog had Jesus in her heart? He had learned in kids church that he should have Jesus in his heart.
Greg:
He had such bad cramps that he could not sleep for three nights. On the fourth day he felt so much better and said, “I feel like a new person.”
Alex:
His father had taken Alex out to see a movie and get something to eat. To make conversation with Alex he said, “You saw a sex education movie. What did you think? Have you any questions?” Alex said, “No, but I liked Roots better.” He had a question for his dad. “Do you know what balls are called? Tentacles.” Dad immediately corrected him - Testicles.
I have pages more of what the boys said. The boys are now 23, 20 and 17. The family still gets a big laugh when reading them, even if the boys don’t.
Bee Jones Brownsburg
My Favorite Book
I like to read and have read a lot of books, but my all-time favorite is a book called “Last of the Breed.”
You might think this is a western. Wrong. The story takes place in the 1980’s and is about an Air Force Major (I was in the Air Force you know) and his job was to fly experimental aircraft. He was one of the best the Air Force had.
The other thing you need to know was that he was a full-blooded Sioux Indian. This is a Cold War story and the Russians had pulled some strings and the Major had been assigned to a base in Alaska to do some cold weather flying. The Russians shot him down and captured him. The Russian Colonial in charge was so proud of himself. The American Major lasted one night and escaped right into the wilds of Siberia where the prison was. The American had grown up in the wilds of Utah and Montana and he survived just fine in rough country. The Russians soon learned that a full-blooded Sioux Indian in the wilds was not someone to mess with.
The Russian Colonial brings in an Eskimo tracker which was supposed to be the best and always got his man. He had a streak of white in his black hair. (this is important for later) I won’t tell you any more of the story in case you should want to read it. I will leave you with a final note. At the end, the Russian Colonial is given a package wrapped in an animal skin. Guess what was in it? A note said “You are next.” Happy reading.
Noel Gatlin
A Bark From the Past: Henry
[Editor’s Note: The Republican’s first four-footed correspondent was Henry. A mixed breed rescue dog, Henry would make observations about being a dog in a small town. The articles, which ran in 2006 - 2010, have been languishing in the computer’s memory and we thought a new audience might enjoy some canine commentary.]
My humans are really into recycling big-time. When they first started talking about it, I thought they meant riding the same bike route over and over, but it means throwing away less and re-using more.
There are some big plastic bins in the garage where they put most of their trash. They save plastic bottles and tin cans and glass jars. They save newspapers and flattened cardboard boxes and plain paper and slick paper, like the magazines and catalogs that come in the mail. And when the bins are full, my human takes them away and brings them back empty.
It seems to me that anything that can be re-used ought to be. My humans have been talking a lot with their friends about conservation. I don’t know what that means exactly, but I do know that if you can re-use something, but you just throw it away, that’s a waste! And we shouldn’t waste anything!
At first, it seemed to me that they were spending a lot of time and effort on changing a barrelful of garbage into a barrelful of garbage! But, the other day, they opened a little door on one end and this damp, dark, crumbly stuff came out. And it didn’t smell bad at all! That was the compost, and it turns out that you can put it in the dirt around your flowers and herbs and tomatoes to make them grow better! It’s good for them! Now, that’s recycling—feeding vegetables to vegetables! Now, do you see the cycle in recycle?
They just swept the yard since it was mowed and put all the clumpy globs of grass into the composter. I just love it when my yard has been newly mowed. The grass smells so good and it feels so soft when you lie down on it! Have you ever thought about how neat grass really is? It grows just about anywhere and it makes your yard look all green and pretty! It’s fun to walk on and lie on, and in the summertime, it crunches when there hasn’t been a lot of rain! All the little bugs that live on and under the grass are good for the soil, too, and they are food for the robins! Is that great or what?
My human likes to complain about mowing, how it’s never done and if you don’t do it every week, the yard gets out of control. But, I have heard the way he yells at the mower when it won’t start, and if you ask me, he’s the only one out of control!
Sometimes we dogs like to eat grass, and not just when we are sick, like some humans think, either. We just like the way it tastes! And how about cows? They eat grass all the time, and—hey!—they turn it into compost! Cows are really self-loading, self-emptying compost machines! My humans didn’t need to get that green barrel! They just needed to get a cow! Now that would have been a lot more fun!
Thought for the Day: Recycle and re-use. Remember that all our resources are limited.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
