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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.
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Vince Kiger passed away May 10. He was truly a very special person.
I knew Vince for over 40 years. I learned from a very early age he could tell a great story.
I remember he was on his way to Muncie, Indiana and hit a pheasant on the interstate. The bird went over his care and hit a State Trooper behind him. Several miles down the road, the Trooper stopped him and gave him a ticket. Charge was an ISP Trooper the bird.
That was Vince setting the hook and finishing a great story.
Danville will go on, but without Vince Kiger, a great friend I will always remember.
Bob Lybarger
A Note From Bee
It is unbelievable how quickly houses sell these days and how the buyers pay so much over the asking price.
My friend’s son sold his house for $50,000 over the asking price. Seventeen people were bidding on the house.
We have only bought two houses during our marriage. Granted, we bought our last house fifty-five years ago. We paid $19,000 for a brick ranch, 3 bedroom, bath and a half, living room, family room, and two car garage. The house was five years old. The realtor made the comment that the seller was going to make $1,800 which he thought was too much profit. We paid $11,000 for the house we had to sell to buy the new house. We stayed there for five years. Unfortunately real estate had not appreciated in that five years. So we priced it for $11,000.
We probably only had six people look at it. Three women all said they wanted to buy it.They were all single. The first woman said she hated men. We got down to a closing date and she backed out because she changed her mind about hating men and decided to get married. The second woman’s ex husband said he would buy the house for her. Again we got to closing this woman ran away with another man. The third woman did not have good enough credit to buy the house.
When we thought we had the house sold the first time we got permission from the owner to have a fence put up and carpet laid. Needless to say, we were in a desperate situation. However, there was a happy ending. Our realtor bought our house.
Bee Jones
Musings on the Past
“There will be a day when Washington will recover its now lost sanity. When that day comes, the Senate of the United States will wish it might blot from its records all traces of Thursday March 6. On that day it sank to a new low level in its history.
“For weeks its mud guns have belched and splashed. What once was a great deliberative body has been resounding to the partisan yelpings of little men and the snaps and snarls of character assassins. They have made charges under the protection of the Senate they would not dare utter as man to man. They have made the investigation the excuse for an orgy of partisan denunciation the like of which had never been seen in the Senate and hardly anywhere else in America.”
- The Republican April 24, 1924
Reading through the pages of the newspaper from 1924 it would appear some things never change.
The article refered to a Senate Committee that held hearings on corruptoin in the Justice Department. The Attorney General had been fired and loyalists in the Justice Department conspired to have the senator who was head of the investigative committee charged with bribery.
Correction The story in last week issue, “From a Husband’s Viewpoint” was by Noel Gatlin. His name was unintentionally left out.
Earning/Deserving U.S. Citizenship
By Elshadai Aberra
The citizenship process in the United States is difficult as much as it is lengthy.
First, you must be a U.S. permanent resident for three to five years prior to even applying, which is then followed be a biometrics appointment and then a citizenship interview, and finally you take the civics test in which you must answer at least six of ten questions correctly to pass; six of ten questions the average American probably couldn’t answer themselves.
“I was telling my coworkers I was preparing for the citizenship test and showed them what I was studying and none of them knew the answers,” said Tsehai Nirayo, a newfound Ethiopian-American citizen.
As Nirayo accounted how poorly her coworkers could answer the civic test questions, she said she feels that more U.S. born citizens should know the answers.
“The questions are fair and more people should know them, but they don’t know anything about this country’s history,” said Nirayo.
While the average U.S. born citizen may be able to study the 100 question study guide provided by our government in a week or so, it took Nirayo far longer.
“I studied for a whole three months before I took the test,” said Nirayo. “I prepared a lot.”
As Nirayo’s granddaughter, I can pledge to her diligence and blood, sweat, and tears as she would hog our television for hours at a time watching YouTube videos prepping her for the test. It was no easy feat and while that’s understandable, I think we need to evaluate whether it was an irrationally difficult one.
Living with someone taking the civics test and discovering a recent survey of over 41,000 Americans exposing that approximately only 40% of Americans can pass the civics test has opened my eyes to the fact that we as a nation should question both the integrity of our citizenship process and the quality of America’s education system.
What Am I?
The other day a longtime subscriber stopped in to let us know he hadn’t received his paper and wanted to pick one up.
“By the way,” he says to Betty, noticing I wasn’t in the office, “I hear he’s a Democrat,” letting the statement hang in the air hoping Betty, our taciturn Editor, would give a nod or a wink indicating one way or another.
I don’t know what Betty said, but she doesn’t say much on a chatty day and she is fiercely loyal to The Boss. (I think.)
This was the third time I recently heard others expressing their opinion that I was a Democrat. Three times.
It must be because of the newspaper that anyone would care if I am a Democrat or not. I don’t recall anyone ever caring before. So, since some of you seem to care…
The current toxicity of politics along with the benefit of time to ponder such things, it’s clear I don’t fit into the suffocatingly small box that either party has to offer.
Actually, I’m probably still a registered Republican even though I don’t want to be anymore. But I don’t want to be a Democrat either. So, what am I?
Since I can remember, both parties have told me, promised me, that if I voted for them they would fix things. They also told me that if I voted for the other party, it would be a disaster.
Obviously neither party knows how to fix things and instead of maybe working together, each side has become more entrenched in what I feel are observably flawed ideologies. I’m through with it. I am decidedly independent.
As for the newspaper, it is and always will be a newspaper for the community, regardless of party.
Jerry Vornholt
ASK MR. TRAFFIC
By Chet Skwarcan, PE, President/ Founder of Traffic Engineering, Inc. Chet@TrafficEngineering.com
Electric Cars
Traffic Jams and Dead Batteries
This week’s column is in response to a contribution by one of my long-time readers, Tony (not his real name, his real name is Doug). What happens when a bunch of electric cars get stuck in a traffic jam and all those batteries die?
I asked my uncle about this — he still insists there’s no such thing as an electric car. He says that even if they did exist, they would still need roads. He’s right. I was stumped. I forgot what I asked him…
Yet, traffic jams do exist. And in some parts of the world, it snows. And snow can cause traffic delays, even gridlock. And there’s the gridlock surrounding popular destinations. And there’s the occasional accident or roadblock that creates unexpected and unpredictable traffic jams. And what if all those cars stuck in traffic were electric? And what if all those batteries run out of power?
Even when the cause of the “jam” dissipates, those “dead” electric cars would remain stationary until...I don’t know...how do you charge hundreds of electric cars out in the middle of nowhere? I guess they’d be there a long time.
But let’s assume for a moment my uncle is wrong and that electric cars do in fact exist. Such a futuristic vehicle would likely have an “auxiliary” battery for emergency use only, agree? And if you’re stuck in traffic, turn off the car (does the A/C or heater need battery power?) — and don’t turn anything on until you can actually move.
Currently (no pun intended), electric cars are limited to 300 miles or so and charging them takes too long for nonstop road trips (and where do you even charge an electric car?). Range anxiety is definitely a thing with electric car owners. The limited range is why you don’t hear much about electric trucks. Instead, the alternate energy for trucks is hydrogen fuel cells. Hydrogen provides a much greater range and can be “refilled” as quickly as filling a gas tank. Fuel cell vehicles somehow combine hydrogen and oxygen to power an electric motor (science). The only tailpipe emission is water vapor. But who knows how all that water vapor impacts the climate — we’ll let our grandchildren figure that one out…
My uncle’s right, electric cars still need roads. And our dependence on cars won’t change anytime soon. But, through smart design and development, we can reduce some of our daily travel needs. Working remotely or living closer to where you work, shop, or recreate all help to reduce traffic on the road, and we will always need roads.
A Squirrel About Town
By Archy
“Congratulations,” Archy greeted me. “Hope you have better luck with this one.” My befuddlement was obvious, even to a squirrel. “Your new holiday - Juneteenth,” he patiently reminded me. “I hope you can do it justice.” The squirrel sensed further explanation was needed. “Humans have a tendancy to lose focus when they turn history in to a holiday. It becomes a commercial event that has more to do with getting a day off work than exploring the lesson that can be learned.”
The squirrel was right. Look at July 4th - instead of a time to reflect on the founding of our country, it becomes a time to tow your boat to the nearest lake for a sunburn session.
Archy added, “It’s your tendency to look at history as a long line of inspirational men and events, a romanticized ideal that has little to do with reality, then or now.”
I thought about Mason Weems, who planted the story of young George Washington and the cherry tree to humanize our first president. Archy jumped into my stream of thought.
“Exactly!” he said. “Weems wouldn’t have had to humanize Washington if others hadn’t deified him. Humans maintain a fourth grade level of understanding their history. History needs to be constantly re-examinated or the same mistakes will be made. The view needs to be widened as time passes. On reflection, motivations aren’t always as clear cut as they might seem.”
I could see his point. Celebrating the day when word of the Emancipation Proclamation, issued on January 1, 1863, officially arrived in Texas, two and a half years later, is an important part of our history. But so is what followed: The devlopment of the Lost Cause movement, the rise of the Ku Klux Klan, and Jim Crow laws.
“Not exactly something to celebrate,” Archy nodded in agreement. “But definitely something that should be remembered.”
Beware! Learn to Identify Poison Hemlock!
By Colletta Kosiba Hendricks County Master Gardener
Have you noticed all the attractive 4-10 ft tall plants with bright green fern- foliage with large umbels of white flowers as your travel along roadsides, pastures, field edges or in natural areas? Poison hemlock!!
Poison hemlock (Conium maculatum), is a highly toxic weed originally brought to America from Europe as an attractive garden plant. Conditions the last few years have been especially favorable for the spread of this extremely invasivepoison plant in Indiana.
The flower of poison hemlock.
All parts of the plant contain toxic substances that cause respiratory failure in humans and other animals if ingested.
Extra care should be taken to wear protective clothing before working with or exposure to poison hemlock.
Even dried hemlock is poisonous!
Poison hemlock is dangerous even when flowers and stems have dried.
Poison hemlock is controlled manually or with herbicides such as those containing the active ingredient glyphosate or 2,4-D. For more information on control, see Invasive Plant Fact Sheet Purdue University
Poison hemlock is a biennial plant that has leaves in a basal rosette in the first year. The second year it becomes a tall bushy plant. Poison hemlock has dissected leaves (resembles parsley) but the stem and leaf stalk’s (petioles) are hairless and have purple spots or blotches. The umbrella-shaped cluster of small white flowers (similar to queen anna’s lace) appear in June through August. A single plant can produce 38,000 seeds!
This plant is the hemlock that was used as a poison, that killed Socrates.
What do you get when you mix a four-leaf clover with poison ivy? A rash of good luck.
Got Questions? Call The Home-Landscaping-Garden Help Line and Master Gardeners will answer your questions every Tuesday. May 18 to Sept 28. Hours 9:00-Noon and 1-4:00pm call 317-745-9260 (Hendricks County Extension)
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.]
WOOF! Something really interesting happened to me last week! Some writer person has been reading my column. I got an e-mail inviting me to be in an online workshop for animal writers. I thought I was the only animal who wrote! Anyway, I e-mailed back that I would love to be in it.
The way it worked was, the writer signed in and sent in some stuff he’d written. Then, his name and the stuff he sent would be given to another writer to look over and judge, like a county fair for writers! So, I signed in and sent a few of my favorite columns. I figured out that the workshop was for humans who write about animals, and not for animals who write. But, I decided to stay anyway. And after a little while, I got an e-mail from the writer who got my stuff, a man called Winston DeMarko. We met by instant messaging.
W: Hello, Henry. I have been given your name and the columns you wrote. It will be a pleasure to work with you. I’m sure you are familiar with my series of books about Skippy the Furless Ferret. H: Sorry, Winston. I’ve never met Skippy. W: Well, I suppose you would be rather isolated in Danville, Illinois. Be that as it may, I found your columns quite amusing in spots. It is very clever of you to write from the viewpoint of a dog. It must be difficult to maintain that point of view for extended periods.
H: I have been seeing things from a dog’s viewpoint all of my life. The hard part was learning to write.
W: Ah, yes, that is true of all of us who are published. But, once you have broken through, the result is worth all your hard work. H: Writing isn’t work. It’s fun! W: The one criticism I have is that you tend to use excessive anthropomorphizing in Henry’s columns. H: What does that mean? W: You ascribe to animals thoughts and emotions that would be exclusive to humans.
H: But, Winston, every animal on earth thinks and feels. If you don’t know that, how can you write about a poor, cold ferret with no fur?
W: In my books, of course, Skippy thinks and feels. I just make sure that his thoughts and emotions are very simple, especially since I am writing for children.
H: I’ve spent a lot of time with kids. They think and feel more than you’re giving them credit for. I write for everybody—dogs, cats, birds, skunks, humans—everybody!
W: Well, that’s a very broad audience. It’s likely that they all don’t understand what you are trying to tell them.
H: If you have to explain what you’ve written, you haven’t written it good enough. W: You mean, well enough. H: It’s good enough for me. W: I don’t think we can really accomplish anything with this exchange. You don’t seem to be open to criticism.
H: I’m open to meeting Skippy. Does he write, too? Or does he use telepathy? If he does, Cookie the cat can tell me what he says, since she’s psychic, too.
(W. did not reply.)
Hay, Rube!
Today’s hay farmer lacks the opportunity to experience the joys of the fork and pulley method of putting hay in the barn. With forks firmly planted in the hay, the rope would be pulled up and into the hay mow where a holler would signal when to trip the pulley. We found this bit of farm humor in a 1946 issue of The Republican:
“One Hendricks county farmer had a hard time putting up his hay. While moving it back, he yelled, “jerk” to the fork-man and almost all the crew came in from the field to see what he wanted.”
Bob Dylan
Walt Whitman
