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Exploring Hendricks County
By Jackie Horn
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The Horn Christmas tree has no “theme” but features treasures we’ve collected since the early 1970s.
‘Tis the Season
Thanksgiving is officially in the books (and around my waist) so I can now get into the Christmas Spirit. John and I traditionally put up our tree while everyone else is Black Friday shopping. When I say “put up our tree,” I mean I assemble our 20+ -year-old artificial tree. John is in charge of lighting which involves figuring out which bulb is causing the blackout. We add a few beaded garlands and then comes the best part, the ornaments! I love pulling each one out of the storage box, holding it up, and remembering why we have it. The oldest one is a bird I received from a gift exchange in French Club when I was in 7th grade. Most of them are gifts from friends or souvenirs picked up during our travels. Then there are the “Special Ones.” These are carefully bundled in bubble wrap ortissue paper inside containers inside the storage box. back to a 7th grade French Club gift ex-
The oldest ornament on our tree dates change.
I don’t take chances with these treasures! In this box is the crocheted angel tree topper my grandmother madeus the first year John and I were married. Here are the hand-painted pottery ornaments with the grandkids’ fingerprints we make every year. Oh, and we can’t forget the pickle! Whoever found it last year, gets to hide it on the tree this year.
Our tree no longer boasts the Rudolph with pipe cleaner antlers or other popsicle sticks, googly eyes, and pompom decorations. They adorn their creators’ trees. When the kids married, I gave them all the ornaments they had made or received to use on their new family trees and to start their own traditions. (I wasn’t sad to see the pompom Teenage Ninja Turtle packed up and sent to my son’s house.)
With the tree up, it’s time to start planning our other family seasonal traditions. There are cookies to be baked and fudge to make. I don’t need to recruit volunteers for these jobs, especially the taste-tester position. One of John and my favorite things to do is drive around neighborhoods looking at Christmas lights. If there’s music, bonus!
Last year’s threat of a Covid resurgence canceled so many of the holiday activities. Our first Christmas season in the area was low-key. There weren’t as many community-sponsored celebrations or they were modified for safety. The usual church activities were pared down, no carry-in dinner, Nativity play, or party. This year, I’m ready to experience it all!
I’ve checked out local websites and come up with a list of activities to jumpstart the Christmas Spirit.
November 19-December 26: Winterland Holiday Light Show at Ellis Park, Danville. It costs $5 during the week and $10 on the weekend per carload (got a big van?) to drive through the display. Santa will be available to take note of good children’s wishes on weekends beginning November 27 ($5/ child) More information is on their Facebook page:Danville Winterland Holiday Light Show
A crocheted angel made by Jackie’s grandmother tops the Horn Christmas tree.
December 3: Holiday Fest and Cookie Walk, 4-H Fairgrounds, Danville, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. The Extension Homemakers host the event in the Conference Center, 1900 E. Main, Danville. Admission is free to enjoy the musical entertainment but bring your wallet for the cookie walk and to shop the crafts. If you need more information, call them at 317-745-9260.
December 3-4: Plainfield Choral Boosters’ Freeze of Plainfield, 6 - 9 p.m. West side of Hummel Park. Visitors walkthrough this light display so be sure to dress for the weather. The charge of $10/carload funds the choirs’ programs.
December 4: Pittsboro Parks Department Holiday Craft Fair, 9 a.m.. - noon. Scamahorn Park, Legion BuildingEntrance is free. Free make-and-take crafts for kids and shopping opportunities featuring items from local artists. See their Facebook page, Pittsboro Indiana Parks and Recreation for more information.
December 4: Avon Christmas Tree Lighting, Avon Town Hall Park, 6 - 7 p.m. The lighting ceremony begins at 6 p.m. Other activities include trackless train rides, visits with Santa, hot chocolate, cookies, and FIREWORKS! Additional parking is available at the Avon United Methodist Church next to the park. Fireworks start at 7 p.m.
December 4: Christmas Under the Stars Parade, Brownsburg, 6 p.m. The parade route is on the park department page, brownsburgparks.com. (This is one event I’m looking forward to, Christmas and a parade! Can it get any better?)
December 4 - 18: Yuletide Festival, Connection Pointe, Brownsburg, weekends only. Admission is free for the drive-in movies. There are charges for some activities such as ice skating, train ride, curling, and petting zoo. Check out their website: connectionpointe.org
December 11: The Hendricks County Historical Museum Candlelight Tour, Danville, 5-7 p.m. Visitors will be led on guided tours through the museum decked in its holiday splendor by electric candlelight (no flames!) The event is free but donations are accepted.
December 18: C h r i s t - mas Bird Count – Jamestown Area/McCloud Nature Park 8:30-10:30 a.m. Join the Audubon Societyfor their annual bird count. For more information, contact Roger Hedge at 317- 473-3222 or rogerlhedge@gmail.com
Victorian holiday decorations greet visitors to the Hendricks County Historical Musuem during the candlelight tour. on December 11. Built in 1866, it was once the sheriff’s residence and county jail.
December 18: Plainfield Parks Christmas, Talon Stream Park, Plainfield, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. Families can have their picture taken with Santa, decorate cookies, make a craft, and enjoy the music at this Free event.
December 19: Circle City Ringers handbell choir concert, Jamestown. 6:30 p.m., Old Union Church of Jamestown. The concert is free (donations will be accepted) and open to the public.
December 22: Pjs and Popcorn, The Well Community Church, Brownsburg, 7 - 9 p.m. Enjoy a free movie night featuring “Elf.” The event is free but registration is required. Visit their webpage: thewellcommunitychurch. com for more information and to sign up.
With so many fun activities, our family shouldn’t have any problem celebrating “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year.”
This illustration shows one cover correctly set, in the dining room of the Delineator Home Institute.
The Charm of Your Table
Between the worn covers of a book published in 1930 is a snapshot of American history in the midst of change. The New Delineator Recipes reflects a change in women’s roles on the threshold of the Great Depression.
Put out by the Butterick Publishing Company, the recipes and tone of the book show the impact of the domestic science movement at the turn of the 20th century.
“Food Facts You Should Know” shows the influence of Fannie Farmer, “the mother of level measurements” and director of the Boston Cooking School: “No. 1...It will not do to use a heaping teaspoonful, tablespoonful or cupful when a level one is meant.”
The use of commerical canned vegetables and ready-toeat commerical cereals receives the author’s blessing, as does canned soup, “always ready at a moment’s notice.”
The book was surely aimed at the new bride, with a chapter on “Cooking for Two.” While the recipes in the book were standardized for six persons, most could be readily cut in half. The secret to success in cooking for two depended on “the ability to use left-overs attractively at successive meals.” One suggestion was to use prepare cubes of leftover vegetables and meats “en Brochette” by placing them on a skewer and broiling. Use of canned and pre-packaged food was important “in the case of one who does work outside her home, who who makes her home in a kitchenette aparrtment...”
The use of small electrical appliances for cooking at the table, such as grills, chafing dishes, waffle iorns, toastes, and coffee percoaltors “make informal entertaining a pleasure to the hostest as well to the guests.”
The compiler of the recipes (and author of ten exclusive receipes) was Marie Batchelder, Vermont’s first female lawyer, poet, police reporter, columnist for The Delineator, and member of the Vermont State Equal Suffrage Club.
While level measurements and convenience foods were important, appearances were also emphasized. The dining table was the center of the social life of the household that “furthers the art of gracious living.”
A Note From Bee
I did in-home daycare for 25 years. The kids loved donut holes from Hilligoss Bakery in Brownsburg. Often times, as a special treat, the parents would bring enough donut holes to share. Cody started bringing 5 or 6 donut holes every couple of weeks. I didn’t feel like I could ask him to share. I had about 5 or 6 kids at that time. The other kids got very upset that they didn’t get any. I let this go on for a couple of times and then decided I needed to call his Mom.
“Cody’s Mom, could you please quit letting Cody bring donut holes?” She very hesitantly said OK, but followed up, saying, “Bee, I buy 2½ dozen. That has to be plenty to share.”
Cody was old enough to come into the house through the garage by himself. He must have stayed in the garage long enough to eat about 2 dozen of the donut holes.
When reminiscing about my daycare days, I have told Cody’s story so many times and gotten a big laugh.
Bee Jones
JUST AN OBSERVATION
By Janet Beam
Thankfulness
When some families are gathered around the Thanksgiving dinner table, everyone is encouraged to name something or someone for which they are especially thankful. I think that is a wonderful tradition, especially if you have small children gathered around the table, it can help teach them to be thankful. Having said that, we do not do that at our house.
We do our best to be thankful every day. Even though the news is usually all doom and gloom, we have much in this country to give thanks for on a daily basis. I, for one, am thankful I am an American. And before someone gets all bent out of shape for this observation, get over it. I still believe America is the greatest country on earth; sure we have some nut balls, but what family doesn’t. After all, as Americans we should just be one big family – not black or white, not Catholic or Protestant, just Americans. And if you want to become an American, do it the right way and you will be welcomed. But this sneaking across the border has got to stop. But, as usual, I digress.
I am thankful there is a God in Heaven who is in control whether people want to admit it or not. I am thankful for a warm home; food to eat; a family who gets along, most of the time; relatively good health; enough money to keep the bills paid; good memories and a God who loves me, even when I am so unlovely and unlovable. You can be thankful that He loves you too.
Just an observation.
A Squirrel About Town
By Archy
“Have you considered promoting carrots?” Having become accustomed to approaching Archy mid-thought stream, I replied, “No.” “We were discussing it at the Squirrel Salon and some thought it might be a dietary deficiency,” he said. I had to ask. “What might be a dietary deficiency?” The squirrel answered, “Some humans’ problem with their eyesight, of course. We’ve been hearing about many of your kind saying that they didn’t see color.”
I gently tried to steer the conversation in a different direction.
“That’s a figure of speech,” I explained. “Many humans say that to impy they have no prejudices toward people of color.”
“Let me get this straight,” Archy said with a tone of incredulity. “If they meet a Black human, they can’t see them?”
I tried to explain that was a way of saying that skin color didn’t matter.
“I should think it would matter,” he said. “I’m certain that people are aware of what color they are, since birth, I would assume. Why in the world should someone deny what’s evident? Are they inferring that there’s a negative connotation to skin color?” The squirrel had me cornered. “Yes,” I answered. “Though they think they’re paying a compliment, it’s a remnant of a stereotype that’s been part of society for hundreds of years.” A grin spread across Archy’s face. “That’s what I thought all along,” he said. “I’ve always said I didn’t see you as human.”
By Colletta Kosiba Hendricks County Master Gardener
So many folks just shut the lawn mower off in November and put it away. Come March they can not get it started! Here are some things to do now for the good of the mower and your back! See your operator’s manual to learn how to: 1. Inspect filters - may need change; 2. Inspect sparkplugs - may need change; 3. Change engine oil; 4. Sharpen mower blade; 5. Look for grease points - found around the wheels.
7. Very important - stabilize mower’s fuel and fuel system. If you ever had “hard starts” in the spring where you pull and pull – and just won’t start. Try this today: add a stabilizer to fresh fuel. Mix a fuel stabilizer in 1-2 gals of fresh gas and fill mower tank. Then run the mower until gas is gone. The fuel stabilizer will coat the internal parts of the fuel system. Store mower for winter.
For a clean start in the spring, remove caked on grass from the mower deck.
Fuel can go bad if it is left sitting too long. In as little as 30 days, gas can begin to deteriorate. This will leave gum and varnish that interfere with flow in your system. Fuel stabilizers stop buildup and help reduce water separation in fuels that contain ethanol. Gas left in can may be used in your car.
Remember the mower has November to March - four months off!
Next year, in mid-October, put 1-2 gallons of fresh gas in can. Add fuel stabilizer to that fresh gas in the can. Fill up mower with this fresh gas and mow as normal. When ready to put away, run the mower until gas is gone. Fuel stabilizers keep gas from going bad and gumming up your fuel system. One final solution to all of this is to go electric.
I became really tired when mowing my yard. I had to cut it short.
Memories of Past Times
Scent of Memories
By Janie Adcock
The first thought I had of this topic when Bev sent it out was of an exotic blue bottle with Midnight in Paris on the label. I thought of it not because of the scent, but because for a young girl the bottle on the shelves and on the radio in commercials was exotic and something only the tall, classy, beautifully coiffed and dressed ladies that I wanted to emulate would wear or could afford.
I even googled the brand and amazingly discovered it was still in production and some even advertised the current formula had the same scent. Since I was not at eight years old a beautifully coiffed and dressed model and had never used that exotic elixir on my body or my wrists, I didn’t really have a memory attached to the scent except that I wanted to become that beautifully dressed and coiffed woman (I was always tall) so I struggled with what scent brought back memories I would share as part of this piece.
Most of scents I began to remember were of food my mama cooked or of the outdoors like green grass in the spring, the overpowering and unfamiliar smell of manure at my aunt’s farm (very unusual for a city kid) and the exhaust from buses when New York street was two-way in the 50’s.
We played outside almost all year round then so most of the scents that came to mind were weather or season related, but not with any real strong memories attached to them. My mom never spent money on what she considered frivolous things and I have no memory of her ever using cologne, probably because of the cost. The more I thought about a subject for this writing project the scent from the manure on my aunt’s farm brought back one of the strongest memories of my past, one I had not thought of for years. Strange I agree, but true it still brings back a lovely memory nearly forgotten.
My aunt and uncle, who lived on a farm along highway 421 and had no children, would invite my brother and I for visits almost every summer until I was in my teens. By then of course I was no longer comfortable talking about how much I enjoyed those visits because I was afraid, they would not be cool to my teenage friends. But in fact, it was the opposite for my brother and me. Those visits were joys for both of us and ones we treasured forever.
Each summer these two city kids got to adopt and name a calf and care for it during our visits and we fed the chickens, collected their eggs, milked cows, and learned how my Aunt Fairy stored milk in the cool milk house next to the back door of her home. While her husband, my uncle Earl, I remember as rather gruff, he was very willing to explain the ins and outs of farming to these “green” city kids and give us rides on the hay wagons and let us drive the tractor. I did not ride the hay wagon often because the chiggers would “eat me alive” as my aunt would say each time, I rode in from the fields.
The visit continued with inside work when the weather did not cooperate. We made noodles, I watched Aunt Fairy open those delicious peaches and tomatoes canned by her in late summer and set the table for every meal. There was no TV to sit in front of and eat lunch, but we did eat listening to Ma Perkins, a soap opera in the 50’s. No matter what was happening Aunt Fairy made.it back to the house for her daily serial during lunch.
Every evening I took a bath (no showers there, but an indoor lavatory) and when I went to the bedroom to put on my pjs, I always went to Fairy’s dresser to pick up and open one of two milk glass hobnail bottles that were filled with lotion. I knew I should not do it, but I never used the lotion for fear it would get me in trouble. I simply pulled the cork and took a long scent of the lotion inside. It is a scent that has brought back those wonderful summers for years. I cannot remember the name of the lotion if I ever knew, but when Aunt Fairy died and I went to the auction of her things, there they were, the two-milk glass bottle and the box that contained her few pieces of jewelry. I purchased the bottles and they now sit on my dresser, empty, but when I open them that lotion scent lingers and still brings back a wonderful, simpler time when my only worry was being sure that I remembered Ma Perkins’ last episode, how to roll out noodles and carefully remove those eggs, still warm from the hen’s nest. I never became that well dressed, well-coiffed classy woman, but I did retain beautiful memories from a simpler time when I was young and had dreams of what my life might be.
John Ruskin
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.
The Travelling Hunter
I’ve been fortunate to have travelled around most of the world either for pleasure or for hunting. And I’ve got to admit, I prefer traveling for hunting any day of the week. Going out of state or even the country will open up some fantastic hunting experiences but it can also cause a lot of stress compared to hunting near home. I’ve included some tips that should alleviate some anxiety about leaving home for a hunt.
First and foremost, where are we going? If I’m hunting in the lower U.S. and can drive, I’ll simply load up the truck to the gills and I’ve got the makings of a small sporting goods store in the back seat or the bed of the truck. If I’m flying, then weight and baggage restrictions will force me to make some tough choices on what to bring.
What game am I hunting? If I’m hunting from blinds for antelope in August in Wyoming, I want the short sleeve shirts and maybe shorts. If I’m after musk ox in the arctic, I want to look like the Pillsbury dough boy while still being able to shoot. Elk in the mountains can be cold one day and blazing hot the next. Heck, this past spring in Indiana, I shot my turkey when we had a couple inches of snow on the ground while in years past, it was the lightest long sleeve t-shirt I had.
Another consideration is what is the weapon of choice. If I’m using a gun and I’m flying then airport and airline rules apply. A solid, lockable case, ammunition separated from the gun and TSA approved locks. Some places require the gun be registered when entering a foreign country so writing down the make, model and identification number and keeping that handy is a huge asset. This case will be one of your bags so you will probably pay a fee. Keep the weight and size limit within your airlines guidelines and there usually isn’t a problem. I’ve found that travelling to western states, which tend to be more hunter friendly, are more forgiving and more helpful that other states (California). I was over on my weight coming back from a successful archery elk hunt in Colorado but a very understanding and helpful ticket agents looked the other way on my weight, especially when I “donated” several pounds of ground elk meat to their airlines. I also had a ticket agent in California want to deny my bow and arrows because she found them offensive and didn’t like hunting.
With a weight limit of usually 50 pounds, I like to pack and extra set of hunting clothes in my bow or gun case. In the event that my duffle bag with my gear get separated (shocking that that would ever occur), I can still go hunting if my case arrives. Note: You will most likely have to open the case at some point in time so don’t pack anything in there, you don’t want ticket agents or TSA to see!
Documentation. I’ve already mentioned having a copy of the make, model and serial number of your chosen weapon as essential information to keep on your person. The same goes for your driver’s license, medical records and your passport. Almost every cell phone is also a camera so take a picture of the aforementioned paperwork. Worst case scenario, you lose one or more of these essential documents. Best case scenario, you never need this information off of you phone. Don’t forget to have a copy of contact information handy as well. Info such as who you are hunting with, their contact information as well as who to contact should something happen to you while on your trip. You might not be in a position to get a hold of family or friends in an emergency so a paper copy as well as a picture on the phone can add peace of mind.
Do I really need to travel with back up equipment? I get this question a lot when I go on my hunts. The short answer is “YES!” Usually I’m bowhunting when I go out of state or out of the country so I must assume that I will be so far in the bush that there won’t be any archery shops to help me out if I cut a string or something breaks. Having a complete back-up bow can spell the difference between a great archery hunt and a great outdoor vacation taking pictures of critters you could have shot. I’ve been fortunate so far (knock on wood) not to have needed a backup bow yet, but I am always less stressed when I know I’ve taken steps to ensure a good hunt.
Finally, if you can, take a hunting buddy. Most of my out of state/country hunts have been by myself. I’ll meet up with an outfitter but there can be hassles between here and there. I’ve not had a problem travelling to Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Of course, it didn’t hurt that I could speak the language as well! However, I don’t speak any foreign languages so I’m at the mercy of anybody that can speak English when I arrive at my destination. Going solo puts a target on your back to folks that want to scam unwitty travelers. On both safaris I’ve taken to the Republic of South Africa, I was approached numerous times with people willing to help me for a “tip.” Airport workers, cops, taxi drivers and an assortment of scoundrels too long to mention here are all looking to separate you from your money and/or gear. Travelling in pairs or more help keep the sharks at bay.
Language can also be a barrier to travel as well. I flew down to Argentina once and while I had a fantastic hunt, I couldn’t communicate with many people. I had one guide who spoke great English but I just couldn’t talk with the other guides, cooks and folks at the airlines. Heck, I couldn’t even talk with the local cops who checked my bow. I did find that a well placed $20 bill on my bow case was the international language that these Argentinians understood.
Having typed all these tips, and I’m sure there are many I have forgotten, I will continue to take trips once COVID (I did mention keeping your shots up to date including tetanus, right?) is under control and more countries open up. I’d like to hit Europe and Asia to round out the continents I have hunted on.
Where ever your hunts and travels take you, please be careful. Take precautions to ensure you have a great, safe and successful hunt. I’ll tackle what to do once you get a critter in the salt on another essay. Safe hunting and happy holidays!
