Voices

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Exploring Hendricks County

By Jackie Horn

Summer’s Last Hurrah

The middle of October, John and I packed up and went to Virginia. We loaded our bikes and the kayaks and prepared for one last summer adventure. As we left, the temperatures were in the high 70s. Summer had held on for three extra weeks, but it wouldn’t last.

Our daughter’s family lives in Norfolk, on the coast. It gets cold there but not until November or December. Spring comes sooner. By February her daffodils are blooming. We’ve done more kayaking in Virginia than Indiana this year. We decided to paddle one more time and then store the boats there for the winter.

While the weather turned cold and rainy here, we were enjoying sunny, 70/80s days. Our last paddle of 2021 was Lake Drummond in the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge.

The Great Dismal Swamp once encompassed over one million acres in southeastern Virginia and northeastern North Carolina. Today only 112,000 acres of wetlands remain. Archaeologists believe native peoples lived in the swamp over 13,000 years ago. In 1763, George Washington with eleven other wealthy Virginians, formed the Dismal Canal Company to drain the land for farming. The endeavor failed but the canals still exist.

Today the area is managed as a state park in North Carolina and by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Virginia. Along with over 22-miles of boating opportunities, the area boasts 18+-miles of biking and hiking trails. Smack in the middle of this wilderness is Lake Drummond.

One of only two natural lakes in Virginia, Lake Drummond covers 3,100 acres and is roughly 10 miles in circumference. We were fortunate to have a perfect day for kayaking! The sun was shining. There was a gentle breeze. The lake’s surface was mirror-like. It was a great ending to our paddling season.

The day after our Lake Drummond paddling adventure, John and I rode our bikes along the Washington Ditch Trail to the lake. The 4.5-mile mown-grass path parallels the ditch and is edged by woods. While stopping to take a few pictures, we were surprised to see a black bear on the trail behind us. He wasn’t too thrilled with seeing us on his road and lumbered back into the woods.

Our plans were altered by a family funeral which required our attendance in Georgia. Luckily, we had packed our “Sunday clothes” and could go right there. From Atlanta, between us and home lay Tennessee and one of our favorite places on Earth, Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

John and I have been visiting the Smokies since we honeymooned there over 40 years ago. October is beautiful in the mountains. The leaves are at peak color. Unfortunately, it’s also crowded. We try to avoid the weekends and find the more out-of-the-way hikes. We succeeded this time with a 9-mile hike to a little-known waterfall. The temperature was only in the 40s but since it was a steady uphill climb, we warmed quickly. The next day we walked a more popular trail but started early enough to avoid the crowds. Again, it was a chilly start but as the sun rose, the day warmed and the views were amazing.

We’re home now. It’s a bit dreary and a little nippy today. There’s plenty to do around the house. I think today’s big adventure will be how to season a pot of vegetable soup.

Bye Summer 2021. It’s been great fun.

Memories of Past Times

Lucille Stamper (1927-1915), did something more of us should do. She took time to write down her memories for her grandchildren and friends. While going through some of the files in The Republican office, we found an envelope with a few of Lucille’s stories. The article following is one of her memory treasures.

Hooverettes were a popular house dress style of the 1930’s. Named for President Herbert Hoover, whose term (1929-1933) marked Great Depression. the simple dresses featured a wrap front that could be reversed and thus laundered less frequently.

House Dresses

Photos in old magazines of the women in their house dresses and aprons caused me to start thinking about those articles of clothing worn by my mother. House dresses was the name given to the dresses that my mother and other women wore when I was a little girl. At that time women and girls were not wearing slacks and shorts.

The house dresses I remember my mother wearing were ones she made herself. They were colored prints and the style was simple; in fact, as I recall, I think the pattern for them was a basic one with some changes made each time she made a new one, like changes of rick-rack or eyelet trim or buttons.

House dresses were for that purpose only - to wear around the house; however if Mother had made a new one, she often wore it to town or to a Ladies’ Aid meeting.

I know she had some dresses that were faded and worn that she wore to work in the garden or clean out the chicken house or do any other “dirty work” around the home. When those faded house dresses were no longer wearable, they were washed and then put in the rag bag and maybe used for a dust rag, a cleaning rag, or maybe tom into strips for a rag rug.

Women on farms had a ready source for the fabric for their house dresses. Feed purchased for the animals on the farm could be purchased in bags made of cotton prints, so a farmer would try to purchase several bags of feed made of the same colored print if his wife had told him she needed fabric to make a new house dress.

A house dress is almost a thing of the past, however I do know some women in their 80s and 90s who still wear them. The dresses are now seen in museums, too, and when I see one, I have warm memories of my mother wearing a cotton print house dress, simple as it was and soft and smelling like the fresh summer breeze. It is such a precious memory.

Do you have a memory treasure to share with our readers? Send it to P.O. Box 149, Danville, IN 46122 or by email to betty@TheRepublicanNewsaper.com. Please include your name, address and phone number. Writers names may be withheld on request.

A Note From Bee

Sears, Penney, and Montgomery Ward used to send us Christmas catalogs. Most interesting were the toys. These catalogs usually arrived in October. No books ever got so much attention from our children and grand children. It didn’t take long to lose the covers. The children could never share the catalogs. So there were many a fight that had to be settled and the pages usually got torn off in the fracas.

Before they could write, I would write down what they wanted. Actually there was little that they did not want. They advanced to putting their names on items they wanted. Finally they could make their own lists that were written, erased, or even torn up by a sibling. The final copy was left outside on the bushes to be picked up the elves and taken directly to santa. Those same elves peeked in the windows before Christmas to see if the children had been naughty or nice.

Bee Jones

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.

Ropes

There are 4 items that are always in my pack: my license, a knife, a flashlight, and a length of rope. A good strong rope has come in handy for me on so many occasions I’ve lost count. My go-to rope is an olive drab, nylon rope that’s at least 35 feet long and at least 1/4th thick. Why 35 feet? Well, most of my treestands are 17.5 feet tall so I like to double that number. This way, I can raise or lower my weapon of choice and my pack as well.

My rope has two lightweight carabiner snap hooks, one on each end. These clips allow me to either clip directly to my pack or other gear as well as looping the rope through the hook. The hook allows for a nice secure and quick release.

I have also used my rope as a drag rope when I get fortunate enough to bag a deer. I’ll find a thick stick, wind up the rope a couple of times and then make a loop to go around the stick and the other end will be looped around the deer’s neck and off we go.

In emergency situations, I have also used my rope as a make-shift safety belt. Now, I’ll be the first to say you should always have a fall restraint vest on whenever you are hunting in an elevated stand. But in some situations, (like forgetting to put the vest in my pack), the rope works as a poor substitute. Better to have it loped around my waist and the tree than to have nothing at all.

On more than one occasion, I’ve shored up and secured a treestand with my drag rope. Rachet straps seem to attract all kinds of chewing critters and I’ve had more than one strap ruined by those beasts. In comes the drag rope to shore up the stand. Safety first!

Once, okay maybe more than once, I’ve dropped something out of the stand, or I’ve climbed up and strapped in and realized I left something at the base of my stand. The carabiner can be tied open and then used to as a handy hook. Heck, I’ve even carved out a hook from a handy limb and tied it with my rope to fetch the errant item.

Forget a sling for my gun? No problem if I have my handy-dandy rope. Just a few loops, some ingenuity and presto, a serviceable sling that will work in a pinch. Again, safety first, unload the gun!

Some odd uses include, tying up brush to make a duck blind. Using the rope as a leash for a certain, hard-headed black Labrador retriever. Pulling a vehicle out of a ditch or mud (long story). And of course, tying down gear in the back of the truck.

I’m also sure the rope could be used for all kinds of first aid as well, but I’ve hot had to use it for that yet (knock on wood!). A tourniquet would be a use for the rope. Creating a splint for a twisted ankle or broken limb would be another good use of the rope.

Wherever your travels take you to the great outdoors, travel save and take a rope!

A Squirrel About Town

By Archy

“We’re quite looking forward to it at the Squirrel Salon,” Archy said, cheerily. “It’s been the hot topic of discourse among the members.”

I assumed the squirrel was talking about our upcoming opposing essays on the subject of Critical Race Theory. It always give me pause when I think of being the subject for erudite rodents’ analysis.

“Of course, some of our members are skeptical whether humans can argue without resorting to insults, taunts, and name-calling,” Archy said, “But I tell them those are presumptions and they should raise their expectations.” I thanked him for his optimism. “My pleasure,” Archy replied. “Interacting with you has somewhat changed my opinion of humans. Of course, I’m not expecting minds to be changed, but there might be a slight opening of the door.” “What door?” I asked. “The door we close in front of us, of course,” the squirrel explained. “When we close a door behind us, it cuts off the past. When we close a door in front of us, it cuts off the possibilities for understanding. People stay sealed in their silos of information.”

Having spent a good deal of time in a silo, I could understand the squirrel’s point. When you’re inside, all you see are walls. But if you climb to the top and look out the window, your perspective changes.

“I’m glad you understand,” Archy said. “People shouldn’t keep their information sealed - they should always be ready to expand their opinions by understanding the opinions of others. Comparisons can be used to confuse of to clarify, depending on your goal.”

“A man hears what he wants to hear and disregards the rest,” I quoted Paul Simon.

“Exactly,” Archy said. “The ability to understand is often underestimated. Take the time to really listen before you form an opinion and make sure you don’t shut the door in front of you.”

Does A Woolly Worm Really Predict Winter?

By Colletta Kosiba Hendricks County Master Gardener

Woolly bear caterpillars—also called woolly worms— have a reputation for being able to forecast the winter weather. Some Woolly Bear Folklore: *The 13 segments of the caterpillar represent the 13 weeks of winter. *The longer the woolly bear’s black bands, the longer, colder, snowier, and more severe the winter will be.

*If the head end of the caterpillar is dark, the beginning of winter will be severe. If the tail end is dark, the end of winter will be cold.

*If the worms are mostly brown, the winter will be mild.

*If wooly worms are heading north, the winter will be mild---if heading south, we can expect a harsh winter. And if they are heading east or west, hmm?

Research has debunked all these myths. The colors of the woolly worm have more to do with genetics, age, and past weather conditions-- than predict the future weather

Fact: woolly worms molt six times in its lifespan. Its color changes with each molt. The woolly worms coloring is based on how long caterpillar has been feeding, its age, and species.

Why do woolly worms cross the road? They are looking for a sheltered location to spend the winter. They create a natural organic antifreeze called “glycerol” which allows them to survive even when frozen!

About Woolly

Woolly Worms are fuzzy caterpillars (insects). They have six true legs and several pairs of prolegs that grasp branches so they don’t fall off. When handled, woolly worms curl up into a tight fuzzy ball and “play dead”.

The banded woolly worm has 13 segments; the bands at either end are black and the middle ones are reddish-brown. Caterpillars have one goal in life: avoid being eaten

They go through a metamorphosis, eventually becoming the Isabella tiger moth (Pyrrhactia Isabella) that is seen during the summer months when drawn a to a porchlight at night. The adult moth has a wingspan of about two inches, has yellowy-orange coloration, black legs, and small black spots on wings. Would you believe there are wooly worm festivals?-

Check around for a festival held near you in October.

Maybe you should consider checking the thickness of corn husks, or “See how high the hornet’s nest is,- ‘twill tell how high the snow will be.”

A moth flew into my door today and fell to the ground. I was able to resurrect him using mouth to moth breathing techniques.

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.]

Pet Adoption Explained

Here are a few reasons why every family should adopt a dog.

First, a dog is a loyal and trustworthy companion. If you treat us well, we will be a friend for life who will love you unconditionally. Just be sure to keep the kibble coming.

Secondly, we will protect our family from burglars, grizzly bears and other unwanted intruders by barking fiercely until the intruder goes away. (We practice this handy skill on letter carriers and meter readers.)

Thirdly, we can benefit a human’s health. Studies have shown that petting a dog actually lowers a human’s blood pressure. Owning a dog also raises good cholesterol levels, increases joint flexibility and restores hair. I’m sure I read this someplace, but I don’t know where. Fourth, it’s just fun to have a dog or two around! So there you have it. Adopt a dog from a shelter or humane society in May or another other month! And be sure it’s spayed or neutered. There are plenty of us to go around. (Avoid the pet shop puppies. They are often from puppy mills and have physical or emotional problems that don’t show up until later. It also just helps support the mills.)

Part II Henry interviews Cookie, The Republican’s cat. H: So, Cookie, why should people adopt a cat? C: Humans cannot adopt a cat. We merely deign to live with them. H: But, people seem to love cats. Don’t cats love them? C: We depend on them for food, shelter and health care. That enables us to tolerate them. H: But cats are always rubbing up against humans’ legs and purring.

C: We are rubbing our scent on them to claim them as our own. As for purring, it’s a reflex. People love it, but we wouldn’t do it if we had a choice.

H: Well, gee, Cookie, I was hoping for a real heart-toheart here. You know, some of those ware fuzzies.

C: If you want warm and fuzzy, get flannel pajamas. If you want a little haughtiness in your life, get a cat.

Interrupting! This is Cookie, and Henry didn’t even talk to me! He made up all this stuff! Of course, cats love humans! Just because we aren’t sycophants, like some dogs I could name, doesn’t meav we aren’t loving! Cats have actualy surpassed dogs in popularity and that must mean something! Adopt a cat! Henry, get away! Pffft!

Due to technical difficulties beyond our control, this interview has been terminated.

JUST AN OBSERVATION

BIRDS

By Janet Beam

For some reason I have been thinking a lot about birds lately. The subject always brings to mind the 1963 Alfred Hitchcock classic “The Birds.” After seeing that movie for the first time, I looked at all birds with suspicion. The screenplay was based on Daphne du Maurier’s novella “The Birds.” The film was also partly inspired by the true events of a mass bird attack in Capitola, California in 1961. Evidently hordes of seabirds were dive-bombing homes and cars. When Alfred Hitchcock heard about this event, he used it as research material for his film. But as usual I digress.

When I was much younger, many, many moons ago, I always wished I could fly like a bird. We have all seen pictures of people who have rigged some sort of wings on their backs, climbed to the top of a mountain or tall building and jumped; thinking somehow they were going to be able to fly. They soon found out differently. For some reason, God did not think it necessary for humans to fly.

I still like to watch birds. We were thrilled to find a bluebird in residence in the woods behind our home here in Danville. I had never seen an Eastern bluebird up close and personal. It is beautiful!

Never thought too much about the flying aspect of birds (after all that is what birds are supposed to do) until I noticed the other day some birds that were just soaring through the wild blue yonder. It was somewhat windy and the birds seemed to be happy to be out and about. I always just thought of their flying as a way to get from here to there. But these guys seemed to be flying just for the sheer joy of it. So the next time you see a bird just soaring through this beautiful world, share the joy of being free like a bird!

Just an observation.

Time to Get Comfortable About an Uncomfortable Situation

Dr. Crystal Exline of Danville Veterinary Hospital and Zoey.

By: Dr. Crystal Exline

The word euthanasia means “good death.” Many people have said to me, “I wanted to be a veterinarian, but I could not euthanize an animal because I love them too much.”

Veterinarians develop close relationships to our clients and their pets. It is a privilege that I do not take lightly, knowing that I am relieving suffering not only of the pet but also of the owner from watching their pet decline. It is the final, most selfless act, we can provide the pets who have unconditionally loved us.

While the death of a pet and watching the bond between a pet and their caregiver in their final moments is indeed a difficult moment, it is not the hardest part of my job.

While the terms burnout and compassion fatigue are more common in human healthcare, we are just now exploring it in veterinary medicine.

Compassion fatigue it is a natural consequence of repeated stress resulting from caring for and helping those that are experiencing trauma or suffering. A veterinarian’s empathy and compassion are what makes us great doctors, but it is also a dangerous double-edged sword.

Our lives are filled with meaning and purpose, but we also care so much that we often work for hours after the hospital doors have been locked and the lights are out. We come home to cold meals and programs for school plays that we missed. Our spouses ask how our day was and the typical response is “fine” because we are trying to protect our loved ones from our daily pressures and griefs.

I’ve heard another veterinarian refer to our profession as one of the most dangerous in the world. It is not due to the daily risk of harm from our patients, but the risk of harm to ourselves. The weight of life-or-death decisions, long hours, impossible standards of perfection we either place upon ourselves or are demanded from the public leads to a level of isolation and fatigue that can spiral into burnout, depression and possibly suicidal thoughts.

In a 2014 survey of 11,627 veterinarians, 9 percent were found to have serious psychological distress, 31 percent have experienced depressive episodes, and a staggering one in six considered taking their life at some point in their career.

Of the vets that have died since 2010, 10 percent have been to suicide and of those that died due to suicide, 75 percent are small animal veterinarians. It was also found in a 36-year study published by the CDC, that veterinarians are more than 3.5 times more likely to die from suicide versus the general population.

The word euthanasia means “good death.” Veterinarians view euthanasia as a relief of suffering and if you are person that has depressive episodes, suicide is a way to end it. Also, if a veterinarian attempts suicide, they have a very high rate of success because they have the knowledge and skill to perform it. So how do you care for your pet’s caregiver? You, as pet owners, have one of the greatest impacts to the veterinary profession. Be a responsible pet owner and get pet insurance or start a savings account. New puppies and kittens will grow up, have accidents, and get sick. Planning is key to providing the care needed for your pet during an urgent situation.

Please be a partner with your veterinarian and have your pet examined at least once a year. Finding a disease early and treating it is less expensive and more likely to have a positive outcome.

Veterinarians are leaving the field due to retirement or burnout faster than veterinary schools are graduating students. This has resulted in longer wait times for appointments. This places increased stress on emergency veterinary hospitals where the typical wait time has swelled to over six hours. Please realize that we also really want to help every pet but sometimes we can’t.

When we can’t meet the impossible standards, such as fitting in one more emergency into the day or requiring our already exhausted team to stay late, we often carry a level of guilt and doubt within ourselves.

This can be fueled by accusations of being uncaring, threats of lawsuits and cyberbullying. A little patience and kind words can lift the spirits of an already exhausted veterinary team and it goes a long way in preventing compassion fatigue and burnout.

If you are a veterinarian or a member of the support staff, reach out. We are excellent care givers for others but often at a sacrifice to our own health. Join Facebook groups like NOMV (Not One More Vet) or Veterinary Support Staff Unleashed which provides help to veterinary professionals facing compassion fatigue, burnout and suicidal thoughts.

The Indiana and the American Veterinary Medical Associations have wellbeing programs and resources where they can help connect you to licensed professionals. Please remember that you are not alone, have not failed and are not weak for seeking help. We are all rooting for you.