Voices

Exploring Hendricks County

By Jackie Horn

McCloud Nature Park is listed among the Top Ten Fall FoliageSpots in Indiana.

Falling for Fall

Fall is officially here. Along with the actual date, a cold rain came and dropped the temperature overnight. John and I took the kayaks to our daughter’s place in Virginia. We won’t be using them here anymore this year. With luck, we’ll be able to get to paddle a few more times before the season changes there. My chrysanthemums are blooming and a few leaves have already fallen in the yard. Soon the leaves will cover my summer gardening failures and I can look forward to doing better next year.

I LOVE Fall. It is my favorite season of the year. I wilt in the summer heat and humidity and look forward to the cooler temperatures autumn brings. I prefer wearing sweaters and jeans. My hair behaves and doesn’t stick to my head. And food! I can bake again without needing to crank the air conditioner. Soup, chili, cider, and apple crisp, I could go on and on and never mention Pumpkin Spice anything. While I like the greens of summer, I revel in the glowing oranges, reds, and yellows of fall. Raking, tromping, and shuffling through fallen leaves… The smell of mown grass is nice but the aroma of burning leaves can’t be beat.

This brings up the burning question, (Not “to bag or burn”) why do leaves change color in autumn? As a kid, I was told it was because of the colder temperatures. Not so, it seems. It has to do with the amount of sunlight. As the amount of daylight diminishes, the chlorophyll which gives leaves their green color also decreases. The absence of green allows the yellow and oranges which were there all along, show. Why red is a question that scientists are still trying to explain. The tree has to produce anthocyanin, a chemical to make the color. Why waste energy on producing color for a dying leaf? One theory is the red color evolved to attract beneficial insects or to warn off other insects such as aphids which are attracted to yellow. Another thought is the red leaves on the ground decay and the anthocyanins, which are toxic, are absorbed into the soil. The toxins ward other tree species from growing too near and using up the available resources. While I find all that fascinating, I’m really just about the beauty of the trees decked in their fall foliage.

Besides driving around looking at the scenery, there are plenty of fun, cheap or FREE activities this month to celebrate fall.

Danville has its annual scarecrow display from now until the end of the month on the courthouse square. Pick up your favorite treat and enjoy a stroll to check out this year’s entries.

Nehemiah Ranch Fall Harvest Days are Saturdays, October 9 and 16 from 6:00 – 9:00 PM. They offer hayrides, music, bonfire, hotdogs, s’mores, and pumpkins for the kids. The ranch, located at 1420 N CR600 E in Avon, suggests a $5 donation but there is no charge. Contact them at (317) 840-7115 for more information or questions.

The family enjoyed exploring the Prairie Maze at McCloud Nature Park last year. The maze is open now until October 25.

McCloud Nature Park in North Salem is finalizing plans for their Fall Color Festival on October 16 from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM. McCloud is consistently in the Top 10 Places for Fall Foliage on the Visit Indiana website. Besides the 232 acres of gorgeous trees, they will have activities including archery and atlatl (spear throwing), yard games, a make ‘n take craft project, scavenger hunt, apple cider demonstrations, and food and craft vendors. The Prairie Maze is open daily through October 25.

In our old hometown, I had a “Favorite Tree”. It’s a beautifully shaped maple tree situated on the edge of a cornfield that turns a brilliant orange every year. I haven’t yet found a tree to proclaim “Favorite” here in Hendricks County, but I’ll enjoy the search. With so many to choose from, I need to get busy. Any nominations?

Jackie Horn and her husband, John, transplanted from Warsaw to Plainfield to be near family. An Advanced Indiana Master Naturalist, Jackie is a retired substitute teacher who continues to teach (and learn) about all things outdoors. John is a retired CNC programmer and the photographer on the team. The Horns enjoy traveling, walking, hiking, kayaking, and bicycling.

MASTERING THE HOUSE useful tips for homeowners

Tim Paino

Lawns – Ready for Spring

What is a house guy doing talking about grass? Street appeal of the home starts at the curb. Those who like a well-maintained home typically also care for their yards.

As we enter Fall, the last thing on most of our minds is Spring and working in the yard. You may be thinking of leaves turning colors, putting the mower away for the season, or checking on the snow blower. We are not thinking about a plush green lawn next year. The fact is, now is the time we need to be thinking about next years thick green grass. I f you only fertilize your lawn once in a season, the Fall may be the most important time. Like a bear getting ready for a long winter’s hibernation, our lawns need to store food to be ready to “spring” into action once warm weather returns. With less daylight hours our lawns begin to slow the leaf growth and the fall fertilizer goes to the roots to help spread and green back up in the spring. It is most likely too late to plant grass seed with too few warm weeks left this year, but helping those roots grow will help fill in some of those bare spots next year. That stored food will help give us a healthier yard in the Spring.

The fertilizer typically sold in the Fall here in Indiana will have a slow-release nitrogen designed to aid in root growth. When you read the fertilizer bag, they have three numbers such as 32-0-10. We want a high first number with lower second and third numbers. The larger first number is the slow-release nitrogen (N) followed by the smaller numbers for phosphorus (P) and potassium (K).

Stay on top of removing the leaves from the lawn. The grass still needs the sun to keep the photosynthesis process going to aid in root growth. A heavy leaf cover shades the sun and allows fungi growth and other diseases damaging to the plant. If you mulch the leaves to add nutrients to the ground rather than removing them, make sure the mulch isn’t heavy and blanketing the grass blades.

Many mature lawns become dense, the soil hard and no longer absorbs moisture and nutrients. Aerating is best done in the fall. The optimum time would be before you fertilize and about a month prior to frost. This will give the roots time to grow and prepare for new grass in the Spring. Aerating typically only needs done every two or three years on mature lawns.

If you have an irrigation system, the amount of watering should be reduced with the reduction of daytime sun light. Again, we don’t want conditions promoting fungi growth. The length of the final cut is also important. Grass too long is vulnerable to fungi like snow mold. Cut it too short and you can stunt root growth. Most cold weather grasses should be cut after the first heavy frost to about 1 ½ to 2 inches in length.

A little work this Fall will give you a head start for a great looking yard next Spring.

Your Mental Health

By Chase Cotton The Willow Center 317-852-3690

Fight – Flight – Freeze: Stress and the Brain

Imagine you are hiking in the Smokey Mountains in Tennessee. As you round the corner on the path, you see an adorable black-bear cub scamper across into the bushes 10 yards ahead of you. Then, from behind, you hear the unmistakable grumble and rustle that can only belong to one creature: mama bear. Here you are enjoying your hike, and you have found yourself suddenly in-between a mama bear and her little cub. How do you feel, and what will you do?

Most of us, when faced with this sort of present danger (or potential danger), will have an immediately elevated heart rate, clammy skin, escalated breathing, and might start to sweat. Then, our brain will cause us to react in one of three ways: Fight, Flight, or Freeze.

• Fight: Fists clenched and jaw tight, some of our brains prepare us to fight back as hard as we can against the threat.

• Flight: Primed and ready to run, some of our brains prepare us to flee as fast as we can from the threat.

• Freeze: Trapped and hopeless, some of our brains prepare us to endure the harm of the threat through absolute stillness and non-reaction.

Whichever response you experience, your brain is automatically doing its best to protect you from painful experiences by releasing cortisol and adrenaline into your bloodstream, which prepares your body to do what it needs to do to survive. This is an incredible, native gift that is hardwired into our psyche. However, when overstimulated, it can cause us problems.

Consider our hiking scenario again, only let’s say we make it home alive. But, when we get home, the mama bear has beat us there and is ready to strike. The stress hits us again. Then, when we get inside our house, the mama bear has some how gotten in there before we did and is ready to strike again. More stress and more pain. Then, everyday when we get home from work or school, the mama bear is there to hurt us again, and again, and again. Do you see the metaphor?

This bear example represents a chronically abusive situation. Each time the abuse is inflicted upon a person, their brain will trigger the fight-flight-freeze response and release the survival hormones, whether or not the person being abused is actually able to escape the situation. This chronic stress is remembered by the body and brain as “trauma.”

Perhaps a less serious, but still painful situation that the bear represents would be chronic stress at work. Everyday when you get to the office, you have to face that difficult colleague or intimidating project. Even this chronic stress is remembered as trauma. The more trauma we experience, the more toxic this fight-flight-freeze hormone response becomes to our health, often times leading to higher rates of mental illness, heart disease, cancer, and other health problems later in life.

So, how do we avoid toxic stress? The two most research-supported ways are to avoid or heal your triggers, and to develop healthy coping skills. This means getting out of the abusive situation, or away from the abusive person, with help. This could mean finding a less stressful job.

Or, depending on the situation’s context, it means learning how to channel your stress into healthy skills like exercise, creative outlets, and connecting with trusted loved ones or a counselor. If you or a loved one is in a chronically stressful situation right now, The Willow Center would love to help.

A Note From Bee

Last week I wrote about the kindness of strangers. This week I am going to write about the kindness of our friends.

Our 18-year-old daughter Leigh Anne had been sick for about two months. Our GP had given her all kinds of tests but could not come up with a diagnosis. She decided to send her to an infectious disease doctor. He diagnosed her immediately. She had an infection in her mitral valve. He told her he was admitting her to the hospital. It was that serious. He hoped that by treating the infection with antibiotics surgery would not be necessary. The valve was too damaged. Surgery was necessary.

This was 35 years ago when Aids was rampant and blood tests were not always accurate. We decided we wanted direct donations. We would need 8 pints of blood. It’s one thing to ask a friend for a favor but to ask for their blood. I felt very awkward doing this but our friends were very gracious. The usual response was “where do I go and at one time.” I could not give them a time immediately. The blood bank did not give me that information until the afternoon before surgery. We got all the blood we needed.

We also asked all our friends for prayers for a successful surgery and recovery. With the combination of a great surgeon, directly donated blood, and prayers she had a successful surgery and has led a healthy life for the past 35 years.

A Squirrel About Town

By Archy

You seldom see a squirrel lost in thought, but that’s how

I found Archy last Sunday. “Penny for your thoughts,” I said. “You’ll need more than that,” the squirrel said. “I’m at the peak of gathering.” I thought he meant gathering nuts, but he quickly corrected me. “It’s the time of year for gathering thoughts,” he said.

“Winter is coming, you know.” A nice metaphor, I thought to myself. I was soon informed otherwise.

“We squirrels always gather thoughts in the fall, in addition to gathering nuts,” he patiently explained. “We need both to keep our strength up during the bleak midwinter,” he said, making use of a phrase from Christina Rossetti.

“It’s a shame most humans don’t keep a store of thoughts for contemplation,” the squirrel said, with a slightly condescending tone. “They fill their heads with social media, none of which will warm them against the cold or comfort them in during the long nights.”

I suddenly realized what he was saying. All the lines of poetry I’ve memorized, all the quotations jotted down - they were a real source of sustenance for me. I could go back to them whenever I needed a bit of light or hope.

“Tell your people to stock up. Read a book, write your thoughts, fill your life with useful words. It’s a sumptuous repast that will always leave you satisfied,” Archy said.

Again, the squirrel was right.

Getting Ready for the First Light Frost

By Colletta Kosiba Hendricks County Master Gardener

A light frost will come upon us soon.

When temperatures fall a few degrees below freezing for a several hours, it damages your lovely plants. Pay attention to the weather forecast so you can use measures to save your plants for a little longer.

A light frost occurs when the air has dropped below freezing but the ground has not frozen. A hard frost occurs when the air is cold and the ground is hard, usually late fall.

The effects of light frost vary from plant to plant such as a browning or scorching effect on foliage, or complete stem collapse. Tender plants affected are tropical and subtropic varieties they will turn black when frosted. (The water inside of the plant gets cold, and crystallizes. When it warms up, the frozen crystals cut the inside of the plant, allowing moisture to escape, killing the plant.)

Cover Plants in late afternoon after winds die down with sheets, towels, blankets, cardboard or a tarp. You can invert baskets, coolers or any container with a solid bottom over plants. Some folks water the plants lightly before they cover. Water holds heat better than dry soil, protecting roots and warming air near the soil. However, do not soak the ground as this can lead to the water freezing within the soil and damaging the roots.

“S.O.S” - Save Old Sheets to cover your plants!

Remove the coverings when temperatures rise the next morning by 10 so that plants can get full exposure to the warm sunlight.

Wait to harvest plants that can survive a hard frost, such as: carrots, garlic, horseradish, kale, rutabagas, leeks, parsnips, radishes, spinach, and turnips. These are the last to harvest.

When the sky seems very full of stars, expect frost. – Weather lore

Purchased row covers can be used in the garden or in larger flower beds.

into their dens for the winter, too. But, it worked and nobody was hurt and they all came back when the fire was over. And that field will be so pretty next spring with new grass and wild flowers growing!

There’s some neat stuff happening at McCloud just after Thanksgiving. It’s great that humans have a special day set aside to be grateful for everything they have. Most of the time, they take stuff for granted. My only gripe about the whole thing is, they feel they need to eat a turkey for the holiday. A nice salad or a peanut butter sandwich would do just as well. I mean, we all have stuff to be thankful for. Even turkeys have stuff to be thankful for, but you don’t see them eating humans!

There’s a lady who’s going to teach a class there on how to do a scrapbook. I don’t know why anyone would want to save odd, leftover stuff in a book. I mean, some scraps might be okay. But some kinds I can think of wouldn’t stay in a book. And some would stick the book closed. When I was living in Nebraska, one of the kids in the family pressed some leaves in a book. They looked neat! But, scraps? Something like a pork chop bone wouldn’t press too well. But, everybody to their own taste, I guess.

After Thanksgiving, there’s going to be a walk to look for wild turkeys in McCloud Park. Now, that would be cool! Do you all remember Blackberry Gobbler, the wild turkey that ran around Danville a couple of years ago? She was from up around McCloud somewhere, I think. If you go on the turkey walk, look for her. Wouldn’t it be neat to see her again?

I’d love to go on the turkey walk, but dogs have to stay on a leash and I need the freedom to run! Anyway, my wolf ancestors were there before people were! So, that park is really ours! Well, okay, you can use it. Just be thankful.

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 have been languishing in the computer’s memory and we thought a new audience might enjoy some canine commentary.]

WOOF! There is so much neat stuff going on this month! Miss Merrily sent my female human an e-mail about some stuff that’s happening at Mc- Cloud Nature Park. When my female printed it out, she left the paper on the printer. And the printer is just at my nose height. So, it was easy to get the paper onto the floor so I could read it.

There was a picture of this big iron bridge that was being lowered across Big Walnut Creek. I would have liked to have seen that huge machine that lifted the bridge! I bet it was so cool!

I read that the folks there at McCloud Park were going to set fire to a big field of grass. That’s so new grass can grow next spring. I’m afraid of fire. I think mowing would be a lot safer. Or maybe send in a herd of sheep or goats or donkeys or something. Anyway, when I read about the fire, I used my bark relay line to pass the word. And Cookie, the Republican’s cat, sent out psychic waves to tell all the wild field critters who lived in that grass to get out before the fire. Some of them were just settling

JUST AN OBSERVATION

By Janet Beam

Just been thinking lately about this and that and was wondering – how is it that when some people walk around in old stained clothes, they are a bum, but if a well-to-do person walks around that way, they are eccentric?

If one person walks around with eyeglasses duct taped together, he actually has more money than he knows what to do with, while another person with the same duct taped glasses is poor as dirt.

If one person lets their yard grow up and never pulls the weeds, he is lazy; but then someone else doing the same thing has a “natural habitat?”

If one family member yells at their children, they are abusive, but if another does it, they are practicing “tough love?”

One person is watchful over their children; another is overprotective.

There are some people who just have a natural interest in other people; but others with that trait would be thought “nosy.”

Some people are just plain old ambitious, but others may look on them as ruthless.

A well-dressed lady would be considered glamorous by some, but others would consider her gaudy.

If you have a lot of faith that things will turn out for the best, others may consider you too self-confident. Our differences are what make the world go around. How dull it would be if we all thought the same and viewed mankind in the same way. That is just my observation.

Hunting Tips & Reflections

By Mike E. Neilson

Mike Neilson, longtime Danville High School teacher and longtime hunting enthusiast is sharing his hunting experience with our readers. He’s also shared his knowledge in three books, available on Amazon. com

Congratulations! You have just bagged a deer. Now is the time to think about what you are going to do with your deer. Taking a deer with the weapon of your choice is a great accomplishment, but now you have a responsibility to finish the job and get that deer processed.

First, please don’t just cut off the head of a buck and leave the carcass. There are plenty of places and people that will utilize this fine resource. Same with a doe, button buck or first-of-the-year deer. Just get on Facebook like Danville Chatter and mention you have a deer but can’t use the meat and folks will be beating a trail to your door.

If, on the other hand, you want to keep your meat (as most hunter do), now is the time to decide whether to butcher the deer yourself or take it to a processor. Each option has its benefits and drawbacks and I’ll try to discuss the major points..

Using a Processor

One of the biggest advantages is that they are the experts on butchering. Unless you are really into doing it all, processing a deer can sometimes be a daunting task. If you don’t have space to hang a deer, cut it up, grind it up, stuff it up and freeze it, go the processor route. Great butchers can cut, wrap, sometimes vacuum seal, create jerky, summer sausage and package your meat to your desire. Many places offer taxidermy work as well and so they become a one-stop-shop.

If the temperature is warm (say over 40 degrees or so), most processors have walk-in freezers, or other methods of cooling and hanging the deer until it can be processed. Cutting warm, fresh meat is doable, but butchering a deer after it’s been cooled and hung up for a few days can work a lot better.

There are no short cuts (no pun intended) to processing a deer properly. If you don’t have the time, dropping your deer off to a processor frees you up to go to work, take care of the family, or go back to hunting. On a good year, I get to process 3 deer a year. Processors will do maybe a couple hundred deer and they become effective and efficient butchers. In many cases, there are several people working in the shop and division of labor leads to expert workmanship and great meat.

So, what’s the downside of taking your deer to a processer? Well, the good ones will be busy so you might have to wait a bit to get your meat back. Another item to consider is the costs. Good processing isn’t cheap, nor should it be. Be prepared to pay anywhere from $75 dollars for standard cuts on up. For many folk a bill like that is just fine since you don’t have to deal with all the work needed to process a deer.

Keep in mind, the processors can only do so much with the deer you bring in. The place you shot the deer in the body and the damage your weapon of choice will influence how much meat and what cuts you get. An arrow makes one type of damage while a slug from a 12 gauge makes another completely wound channel. Gut-shot deer might not ruin a lot of meat initially, but if the carcass isn’t cleaned out properly, you risk losing the tenderloins at the very least. Most processors will trim around the damage and move on. This damage will result in meat loss and until the hide is off, the hunter doesn’t really know how much meat they might not get.

Who would I recommend? Hands down Bakers Camp in Bainbridge. Close, reasonably priced, custom orders or standard cuts, jerky, summer sausage, or burger. You name it they can probably do it. In addition to that, they are outstanding taxidermists as well. And finally, they also have an archery shop for you bowhunters out there. County Line archery shop is housed in the same great facility. Contact info: Kevin & Darcey Baker, 3890 East County Road 650 North, Bainbridge, IN, 765-522-3877, Email:- bakerscamp@yahoo.com

(Disclaimer: I have not used Bakers Camp for deer processing because I like to do my own butchering. I do have family members that have used Bakers and praise them highly. I also know Kevin and Darcey and they are awesome folks. So is Justin Buchanan who owns the archery shop, butchers deer, and helps with some taxidermy work.

Whom would I not recommend? Well, I’ve had some bad experiences with a few and I’ll just say you need to check a place out before you drop off your hard-won trophy.

Nest Week: Home Butchering