SERVING HENDRICKS COUNTY SINCE 1847
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The Republican
Hendricks County
Workshop On Rotational Grazing
Hendricks County Soil & Water Conservation District invites livestock producers to a rotational grazing workshop July 31 at 5:30 p.m. at Iron Brothers Farms LLC. The session, led by grazing land specialist Susannah Hinds of the Natural Resource Conservation Service, delves into grass identification, principles of rotational grazing and pasture management. The evening workshop, funded by Clean Water Indiana, includes an equipment options discussion. Iron Brothers Farms is found at 1288 S. CR 600 W, Danville. Make reservations at teri.lents@in.nacdnet.net, or call the SWCD office at 317-745-2555, ext. 3. ___________
Brownsburg Parks Offers Fitness Classes
Brownsburg Parks offers a variety of fitness classes designed to keep you active and moving! Dance Fit with Erin, Mondays and Wednesdays, 6-7 p.m., Arbuckle Acres Park, Shelter 7 Walk and Talk Series: Care for the Caretaker, Wednesdays in May, 7-8 p.m.,| Arbuckle Acres Park, Shelter 8 Qigong Classes, Tuesdays, May 18-Nov. 30, | 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., Bundy Lodge, Arbuckle Acres Park Tai Chi Classes, Tuesdays, May 18-Nov. 30, 11 a.m. to noon, Bundy Lodge, Arbuckle Acres Park Beginner Yoga, Thursdays, May 20-Nov. 18, 9-10 a.m., Bundy Lodge, Arbuckle Acres Park Chair Yoga, Thursdays, May 20-Nov. 18, 10:1511:15 a.m., Bundy Lodge, Arbuckle Acres Park Slow-Flow Yoga, Thursdays, May 20-Nov. 18, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Bundy Lodge, Arbuckle Acres Park Restorative Yoga, Thursdays, May 20-Nov. 18, 6:45-7:45 p.m., Bundy Lodge, Arbuckle Acres Park Nature Therapy (Shinrin-Yoku Session), Monthly, first and third Friday and Sunday | 9:30 – 11 a.m., Outdoor Classroom, Williams Park Outdoor Group Meditation, Monthly, first and third Friday and Sunday, 8-9 a.m., Outdoor Classroom, Williams Park Learn more and register at brownsburgparks.com ___________
Loan Medical Equipment
Hendricks County Senior Services maintains a limited supply of medical equipment available for loan for residents of Hendricks County as part of the Danville Rotary Club Foundations, Inc’s Durable Medical Equipment Loan program. Equipment is available on a first-come, first-serve basis. There is no charge for borrowing the equipment. Donations are graciously accepted to help offset the cost of maintaining the equipment. We offer walkers, wheelchairs, rollators, and canes. Call the Senior Center for more information at 317-745-4303. __________
Thursday, June 24, 2021
Plainfield Police Department Grants Make-A-Wish
Named to Dean’s List
Rebecca Fales of Avon has been named to the dean’s list for the spring 2021 semester at Carthage College in Wisconsin. Dean’s list honors are accorded to Carthage students who achieve a minimum 3.5 grade-point average while carrying at least 14 credit hours during a semester. ___________
On Dean’s List At Findley
Photo: Town of Plainfield Caleb and Kaden Ratliff celebrate with their new friends from the Plainfield Police Department. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
By Melissa Gibson Caleb and Kaden Ratliff, ten-year-old twins with cystic fibrosis, got a chance of a lifetime last week, joining the Plainfield Police Department on an adventure. The two thought they were going to a meet and greet with Corporal Rob Pritchard and his K9, Jocko and did learn a thing or two about giving Jocko commands and the different things the K9 can do for the police department and the community. However, things took a turn when Pritchard received a call to stop a carjacking in progress. The man happened to be wearing his K9 bite suit for the job and the Ratliff twins were able to command Jocko to attack. Just as soon as the carjacking suspect was under control, the notorious bank robber, Gentleman John Glover speeds past the team and a car chase ensues… right into the Plainfield Training Academy’s test track. As Glover is arrested Pritchard, Caleb and Kaden learn of two children, lost in the woods but as luck would have it, Jocko is trained to find them and the team saves the day. As the group drives into Plainfield’s Hummel Park, they’re greeted by several from the Plainfield Police Department and dozens of families from the community, thanking them for a job well done and keeping our community safe. “I’ve done hundreds of programs and K9 meet and greets,” Pritchard said. “One of our day shift supervisors, Dawn Veirs is friends with the boys’ home healthcare nurse and she called me and said their dream is to meet a police K9. Well, I do that all the time, so that was a pretty low bar. We had to do something really special.” Pritchard came up with a plan to give the twins an experience they’ll never forget and was thankful for all the friends and co-workers that immediately got on board. “Everyone was so eager to help,” Pritchard said. “People are incredible and we’ve had everything from two professional photographers volunteering their services to a person making T-shirts to hand out.” Though the incompetent carjacker was Prichard’s father and the notorious bank robber and lost children were
friends, Pritchard said the entire thing was played 100 percent serious. He met with each person involved ahead of time and created a stringent timeline for each character to be in place at the perfect time. It worked. The boys had a blast and shared the entire adventure with the crowd at Hummel Park. “I can’t imagine being that young and knowing your prognosis,” Pritchard said. “This has just been amazing. All of these people that I barely know or don’t know at all and the boys don’t know are dropping everything they have going on to show up and cheer and clap for them. Maybe we’re not as divided as people might have you believe. Our commonality is greater than our differences.” The twins know their prognosis and haven’t let it stop them. Mom, Elizabeth Bennett, said they were diagnosed at 12 days old and have spent weeks at a time in the hospital for a variety of medical issues. Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that affects the respiratory and digestive system with a survival age median around 30 years old. “The boys know they’re not going to live a long life,” Bennett said. “But once you meet them, you’ll see, they’re just different. Not just because they’re my kids. They melt your heart because they care so much about everyone else.” Bennett said the isolation the twins experience is similar to what most of us experienced throughout the pandemic. “They always wear masks, stay six feet away from other people, they never get to go to parties and a lot of people are afraid of inviting them to things because of their medical problems. They’re very isolated, so it’s nice that they have each other,” Bennett said. “But they’ve always looked at it like other people have it worse than they do. They talk about some kids don’t have clothes to wear. They’re always thinking of others and thanking people for what they’re doing for them.” They’ve also always wanted to be policemen and “think the world of them” according to Mom. “What Officer Rob and everyone else did is just amazing and the boys loved it,” Bennett said.
Soak Up the Sun & the Water But Avoid the Shock You’ve waited to open your pool, bring out the boats and soak up the sun! But before you dive into all the summer fun, remind yourself and your family of the dangers lurking inside pools and lakes. Remember: water and electricity don’t mix!
If someone is in the water and is shocked, do not jump in. Turn off the power source and use an insulated device to attempt to remove him or her from the water. Electrical shock can cause paralysis and the victim will need assistance immediately. Staying safe while near the water is simple but these Safety in or around pools It’s easy to hop out of the pool and not think about turn- tips can be easily forgotten. So, create a checklist for your ing up the music or jumping in and making a huge splash family and friends to review before jumping in the deep all over nearby electrical appliances. But doing so can be end. dangerous. Instead, use battery-operated appliances or waterproof covers for items near the pool when possible. This About Hendricks Power Cooperative: Hendricks Power way, you and your family can enjoy the day without worry Cooperative provides electricity and energy services to over 35,000 residential, commercial and industrial cusof electrical shock! If someone in the pool feels electricity -- almost like a tomers in west central Indiana. Formed in 1936, the costinging feeling – or appears to have been shocked, do not operative is owned and controlled by members they serve. dive in because you could be shocked, too. Instead, turn For more information regarding Hendricks Power Coopoff the power and use a non-metal shepherd’s hook to pull erative and other related service, please visit www.hendrickspower.com. him or her out of the water to safety. When using long-handled pool cleaning equipment, ______________________________________________ always look up and around to make sure there are no low-hanging power lines connected to a home or pool house nearby.
Safety in or around lakes/rivers
The same safety concerns are in play around lakes and rivers, too, along with a few more. Avoid running electric appliances with extension cords out to where you are sunbathing/swimming. They present both a shock and trip hazard. Avoid swimming or going in the water near boats plugged into shore power or docks with electrical services. If you are in the water and feel electricity, stay calm and swim to shore if you can but do not touch a metal ladder or any other metal objects.
Got News?
If you have a local news item to contribute, you can call or fax us at 7452777, send an e-mail to therepublican@sbcglobal. net or drop by the office at 6 East Main in Danville.
The following local students were named to the spring 2021 dean’s list at the University of Findlay in Ohio: Andrew Boulton of Brownsburg Natalie Dayharsh of Coatesville __________
Graduates From Carthage
Laura Sanders of Brownsburg recently graduated from Carthage College. in Wisconsin. ___________
On Bradley U. Dean’s List
The following local students were named the Spring 2021 Dean’s List for Bradley University in Illinois: Veronika Roberts of Brownsburg, majoring in Public Health Education. Matthew Gaby of Avon, majoring in Computer Science Computer Game Technology. Jared Riddle of Danville, majoring in Industrial Engineering. __________
Named To President’s List
Kendra Springs, of Plainfield, was named to the College of Charleston Spring 2021 President’s List. Springs is majoring in Chemistry . To qualify for President’s List (Highly Distinguished), students must earn a GPA of 3.800 or higher and complete a minimum of 14 semester hours. ___________
On Dean’s List At Missouri U.
Reighan Grandolfo of Avon was namted to the dean’s list for the spring 2021 semester at Missouri State University. Criteria include enrollment in at least 12 credit hours during the spring semester and at least a 3.50 grade point average (on a 4.00 scale). __________
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 317-7453338, 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. __________ Raise your words, not your voice. Rumi
