ISSUE NO. 2 FALL 2026
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GIBSON COUNTY LIVING From Roots to Horizons
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Dear Gibson County...
Gibson County Living Magazine FALL 2026 ISSUE NO. 2
This month we bring you into the worlds of both Education and Paintings in Gibson County. From our first to our final days, our lives are filled with opportunities and experiences to learn from — whether it’s formal education or one of our greatest classrooms, the school of hard knocks. From amazing programs and educators (both human and animal!), to entire school systems, Gibson County has so much more to offer than people realize. Intertwined in our histories and visions for education, talented artists, young and old, past and present, create and share beautiful pieces of artwork that capture moments in time, tell us stories, teach us something new, and bring our community to life!
GIBSON COUNTY MUSEUM OF HISTORY & CULTURE
PUBLISHED BY Gibson County Museum PRESIDENT/EDITOR Nora Nixon
So, take a break from the grind and dive in — let’s do a little celebrating while you weave your way through life in Gibson County. Thank a Teacher, an Artist and our Volunteers and Sponsors, who make all of this possible — Enjoy!
Nora Nixon
and the Board Members of Gibson County Museum of History & Culture
GIBSON COUNTY LIVING Visit our magazine website www.gibsoncountyliving.com to see digital issues & archived Small Town Living issues!
DESIGNER Brandi Kramer CONTACT US office@gcmhc.org PO Box 108, Princeton, IN 47670 Copyright 2026 Gibson County Living assumes no responsibility for guest writers or submitted material. Signed articles are the opinion of the columnist and do not necessarily reflect those of the publisher.
CONTENTS
2 FEATURE
3 ART
8 EDUCATION
45 SPORTS
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Hours: 11:00-9:30 Gibson County Living | Fall 2026
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FEATURE
DREW COOPER
Gibson County artist announces first solo American & exclusive Dubai exhibits Written by Janice Barniak Fort Branch artist Drew Cooper describes his evolution as a fine artist as a journey of confidence. “In the beginning I was a super slow painter, it might take three to four weeks to complete one large painting...I think I paint much faster now because I am sure of the work and the vision,” he said. “I am not thinking too much about what people might think; I am strictly just painting and focusing on each mark.” That strategy has catapulted Cooper into galleries around the world, and he announced to Gibson County Living that he’s been invited to create his first American solo exhibition at the Evansville Museum September 2028 that will feature 30 new works. He’s also been invited to exhibit work at Maddox’s new Dubai gallery. From record labels to murals, from fine clothing to fine art, the Ball State University grad called his career an upward spiral that took him from Miami, to Los Angeles to London to Seoul. Art also connected him to his family and wife in profound ways. “I got to fly my wife to Switzerland and propose to her on the top of a mountain when I showed work in Gstaad. We were able to move to London in 2024 for six months during a residency program where I made 70 paintings and had a massive exhibition at the end.” During that crunch, his now-wife quit her job, acting as his assistant during his 16 hour workdays, and doing everything from buying paint to cooking meals and more. “It was the hardest thing I have ever done and accomplished, but without her it wouldn’t have been possible,” he said. “I married her a month later when we returned.” Cooper also had the chance to bring his parents to London. “We got to take them all around London to plays, had a formal afternoon tea, and took my mom to see Buckingham Palace and all the Princess Diana stuff. And recently we just got back from my show in Seoul, South Korea where we had tons of Korean BBQ,” he said. “I think we are still recovering from the jet lag, haha.” His approach to doing an exhibition has also changed from working on one painting at a time, to seeing the collection as a whole. He researches new materials, color trends and interior design as he plans his work, with the aim to give each painting its own feel. He typically works on five paintings at a time in different phases of completion. He moved back to Indiana, to Evansville, to focus on his work in peace. In that peace, he’s working steadily to paint another London exhibition in November, next year’s Dubai showcase, and another contemporary art exhibition with Tang gallery at their art fairs at the end of the year. Instead of wishing to have another artist’s style, what Cooper admires about other artists is their productivity, saying he admires Picasso. “He said he could make up to five paintings a day and still have time to read the paper and go to the pub,” Cooper said. To learn more, check out Drew’s website at www.cooper.studio, Facebook @iamcooperart, or Instagram @iam.cooper.
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Paintings Tie Past & Place for Local Family
ART Written by Janice Barniak
The rooms are furnished in ways that complement Flora’s vision, even as Coleman shows off lovingly displayed family photos, and antiques his own mother treasured, which are best seen with a glass of wine and music. Five generations of stories are housed here, he said. Breeden began her work with free-floating personal landscapes, but after training, she learned to replicate local buildings with extreme precision and attention to detail. Her fascination went beyond the structures; she learned the history of the buildings and published a book of paintings with building history called “Among My Souvenirs.” She also painted buildings that were sentimental to others, including Coleman’s fraternity house, which she gave to him as a graduation gift. In her later years she used the same precision she applied to buildings but layered it with riots of color, returning to landscapes, florals, and still life. During her lifetime, her work hung everywhere from Shawnee State Forest, to the local Dairy Queen, to the home of Lawrence Welk. She stopped painting after her husband died. Coleman said they were more than spouses, they were business partners and life partners. “My grandpa was her number one supporter ... Her heart just wasn’t in it after he died,” Coleman said.
Artist Flora Breeden, of Princeton, began painting during the Great Depression on butcher paper (the paper a family’s meat would come wrapped in). Out of one beautiful snow scene Breeden launched a lifetime of color that moved from the personal, through the public and into the profound. Her work would end up tying together the past, present and place for generations of her family. Breeden's first "work" was a gift — she painted a snow scene for her mother. When a neighbor saw the work and asked Flora for a similar snow painting, her career began. Breeden’s grandson, Rick Coleman, shared this story while navigating the downtown Princeton home where he’s surrounded by approximately 70 of his grandmother’s paintings on all three floors of Seven Gables, the house his grandparents lived in and renovated.
She died in 1988. Coleman has her second-ever painting, the snowy landscape, close to the entrance of the home, and her final painting, a small floral, the bookend on a 50-year career, tucked on the walls closest to the home’s foundation. Breeden’s work celebrates the importance of place and preserving history, and that tradition passed down to Coleman. He restored her home Seven Gables, where he’d spent family Christmases, as a 10 year project, one room at a time, and in that house, he tells the story in pictures of a family that over and over was influenced by location. His family would move away repeatedly. His mother, for example, loved living in Phoenix, New York and Chicago, but came back to raise her children locally. “This is my family’s legacy, and I’m blessed to be the caretaker.”
Gibson County Living | Fall 2026
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ART
A Lifetime of Art
Kailyn (Meeks) Ricketts, a Princeton native who now lives in Oakland City, has been an artist since at least the age of 2, when she painted a masterpiece, as only a 2-year-old can, on a bedsheet. Instead of getting in trouble, her mother, who later told her she was cringing inside, provided nothing but encouragement. This began a lifetime of lessons as an artist for Kailyn. Kailyn describes being “out of art for a while” but then deciding, recently, to step back in after her final years of college and entering the workforce as a Packaging Engineer. In the next breath, she begins causally outlining a passionate life as an artist through just about every other stage of her life: As a child, simply creating for the love of doing it. Through some tough years, when her art became her means of escape to help her process situations beyond her control and deep emotions such as pain and grief. Picking up life lessons like “they can take a lot of things from you, but they can’t take music and they can’t take your art”
Written by Nora Nixon
from her stepdad. To today, where she has resumed making art again, simply for the love of creating. Originally attending university as an art major, two major factors helped her make the decision to switch her major to package engineering. With emerging AI technology, knowing the fate and uncertainty of a career in graphic design was one factor, but also learning about herself that a career of producing art at the constant direction of others, that would ultimately be owned by others, was not the purpose of art for her. For Kailyn, to stay true to herself, art was, and is, a beloved hobby. It’s been a full circle, and it has come with many lessons, both artistically and about life. Typically gravitating towards pieces that capture memories and emotions, Kailyn's best piece of advice for new artists, of any age, is to stop comparing. Getting stuck or consumed by always thinking of comparisons to other artists, especially through the lens of often distorted social media, can hold you back from what you were meant to create. "Don't muddy your own waters" was how she very easily summed it up. She has also learned that when she tries to create art with a goal in mind, like for money or seeking someone else’s approval or admiration, she can quickly become frustrated and no longer enjoys the process. Intentions matter, although she elegantly struggled at one point to fully express the seeming contradiction that art can be at times. She passionately described several of her favorite pieces of artwork and what they mean to her, and how much joy they have brought to others. The contradiction lies in the joy of others not being her goal, but their enjoyment that makes the artwork even more special to her. Her favorite subjects typically include capturing memories, living things like plants and animals, and portraying her grief for lost loved ones. And when is a painting done for Kailyn? Another lesson well learned for her is that she no longer chases perfection in each piece. When her mind says she’s done, she’s done, having learned to trust her inner voice. For other artists, Kailyn shares that art allows you to unlock things about yourself, and you just need to learn to trust your own inner voice. In Gibson County, Kailyn is very familiar with many of the murals that we already have, but her hope for the future is that there are many more “empty spaces”
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Continued page 7...
FINDING FREEDOM Veterans and Wild Mustangs Begin New Journeys Together Contributed by Mustang Ranch At the heart of rural Indiana, right here in Gibson County, a unique program is transforming lives by pairing America’s Veterans with one of the nation’s most iconic symbols of resilience — the wild mustang. The Mustangs of Service Veterans Program, operated locally through the Mustang Adoption Academy, is creating meaningful pathways to healing, purpose, and connection for Veterans through equineassisted learning and brain-based horsemanship.
T. Allen Burr, President of Gibson County Museum of History & Culture
Hosted at Triple E Ranch in Haubstadt, Indiana, the program provides FREE opportunities for Veterans to work hands-on with mustangs, America’s wild horse. Participants learn trust building, communication, emotional regulation, and leadership skills while helping the horses transition from untamed to willing partners. Unlike traditional riding programs, Mustangs of Service focuses on relationship-based horsemanship. Veterans are not required to have previous horse experience. Instead, the emphasis is placed on understanding behavior, encouraging regulation, and developing connection between two beings. Organizers say the approach creates a powerful environment for personal growth and emotional healing. Veteran programs at the ranch are always confidential, private and non-reporting. “The mustangs mirror what many Veterans experience after service,” program leaders explain. “These horses have survived hardship, uncertainty, and trauma just like our American Veterans. Through patience and connection, both the horse and the Veteran begin to trust and find safety.” The results have been deeply encouraging. Veterans participating in the program report reduced anxiety, improved emotional balance, increased social connection, and a renewed sense of purpose. Participants describe the ranch as a peaceful refuge where they can reconnect with themselves outside the pressures of daily life. Community support has played a major role in sustaining the nonprofit’s work. Fundraisers, sponsorships, local business partnerships, and volunteer efforts help ensure that Veterans can continue participating at NO COST. The MOS
program’s annual music festival fundraiser, community giveback nights, open demonstration days and awareness campaigns have helped shine a spotlight on the growing impact of the program. This is what has kept the program FREE to veterans. Organizers hope for changes in public perception surrounding America’s wild horses. Thousands of mustangs remain in federal holding facilities each year, awaiting adoption. By demonstrating the intelligence, adaptability, and therapeutic value of these animals, the program aims to create a future where more mustangs find purposeful homes. As awareness grows, the Mustangs of Service Veterans Program continues to expand its reach while remaining grounded in its core mission: helping Veterans heal through connection, regulation, and the transformative power of the American Mustang. Continued page 7...
Gibson County Living | Fall 2026
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Gardening, Art, and Education Come Together at Lyles Station, IN
ART
Written by Jodi Meyer
Education at Lyles Station near Princeton, Indiana, began through informal local efforts in the 1860s. Community residents formed an early subscription school around 1865, where families paid a small daily fee per child, so a single teacher could instruct local youth in basic reading and math. The concept of subscription schools was that the families paid the teacher directly before public district structures fully reached rural minority settlements. In 1869, the Indiana General Assembly passed an act including children of all races in school districts, though it permitted separate schools. Community growth continued when education developed alongside the local African Methodist Episcopal Church as the free black settlement expanded after the Civil War. Education at Lyles Station School continued through the late 1950s, when the school was closed. In the early 2000s, the Lyles Station Consolidated School was restored, now known as the Lyles Station Historic School and Museum. The Green Thumb Garden Club was established by ladies of Princeton in 1951, and the first club President was Mrs. Orville Redenbacher. The club is currently celebrating its 75th year as a club in this area. The garden club monthly meetings are held at the school building of Lyles Station Historic School and Museum. Various community residents have presented many educational programs during club meetings. I remember one given by Vern Partenheimer, local attorney; he shared his love/hate relationship with roses. That was before the “knock out roses” were developed. They have given the novice gardeners the ability to grow roses without much effort. During the school year club members assist the other volunteers at Lyle Station school with education on reading seed packets, planting
6 Gibson County Living | Fall 2026
seeds, and the various types of ways to grow certain plant specimens, such as in water, soil and air. All the children visiting the school go through about 15 different stations to learn about candle making, butter churning, washboard use, quilting, marble game, soil samples, livestock care, and milking a cow, just to name a few. Use of art in the garden started with Egyptians such as the Great Sphinx in 2500 B.C., and it continues today. Art may include adding statues in a garden, colorful flowers/shrubs and trees or setting up your tripod to paint the garden picture. The Green Thumb Garden Club had many club member artists over the years who liked to share their talents; two were Lillian Pinkston and Nancy Branham. These two ladies painted our current club sign, used at public events. Sue Wilson painted the exterior of one of the outbuildings used for storage on the property of Lyles Station, and Kanda Walden was instrumental in painting multiple barn quilts used throughout the county on the exterior of barns and homes. Her efforts helped Gibson County get the recognition of the most barn quilts on display in Indiana. Art Education builds core life skills by teaching creative problem solving, emotional expression, and critical observation. It supports overall academic growth, enhances motor skills, and provides a vital outlet for problem solving and personal development. It could be a creative scarecrow in the corn/bean fields 150 years ago, a beautiful picture, a landscape or a sign. Go forth, continue learning, and share your artful talents with others.
Finding Freedom continued....
ART
For those who come to the Triple E Ranch, the journey begins with a horse — but it often leads to something far greater: hope, healing, and a renewed sense of belonging. Donate or learn more at www. mustangsofservice.com.
A Lifetime of Art continued... that she sees, (and she has a list), where art could bring more color and life to our communities and share the history of those places from the stories that she grew up hearing from her grandmother.
Sue’s Flowers,
Her most recent project was very much a large leap of faith. When asked to paint a mural on a large dragline bucket for the Mining Museum in Lynnville, she considered the project for several months, because something of this scale was very new for her. Ultimately seeing it as a way to use her talents and to honor her grandfather, she accepted the challenge and dove right in. The end result, and the lessons and joy that project brought, far exceeded all of her expectations!
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Today, Kailyn still loves spending time “zoning out” in the “head space” that comes from creating art, as she did when she used to use art to escape. Her life as an artist, and the lessons she has learned along the way, have helped shape her into the person she is today and even more exciting, is that the best is yet to be! To learn more about Kailyn’s work, check out her page at facebook.com/Kailyn.meeks/
Foll
310 W Morton St, Oakland City, IN suesflowersin.com
ow Us
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812-749-4500
Gibson County Living | Fall 2026
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THE PATOKA RIVER NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
EDUCATION
An Outdoor School to Explore
Written by Nancy Gehlhausen
Photo courtesy of Richard Vernier
Much of what we know about nature can be learned from books, but experiencing nature firsthand can be far more meaningful. An added benefit is that being outdoors can better physical, mental, and emotional health and develop a lifelong appreciation for nature. A lot can be learned from the extraordinary habitats and wildlife that can be found on the Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge and Management Area. The Refuge is located in Pike and Gibson Counties along a 30 mile stretch of the Patoka River. It currently includes approximately 13,000 acres with a proposed acquisition area of over 22,000 acres. What makes the Refuge so unique is that it protects one of the rarest and best remaining intact bottomland hardwood ecosystems in the Midwest. In the 1980s a group of conservationists recognized the importance of this area and worked with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to ensure that this area would be protected forever. On September 7, 1994, the Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge and Management Area was established. The most visited area on the Refuge is the Snakey Point complex located just east of Oakland City. It consists of a variety of habitats spread over 5,000 contiguous acres.
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The Refuge offers a variety of outdoor classrooms to explore. The Oatsville Prairie, located along SR 850 W, is an especially beautiful classroom during the summer months. There you will see native prairie plants in bloom being visited by a vast array of pollinators like bees, butterflies, and many other insects. The Prairie is frequented by numerous songbirds such as the Dickcissel, Grasshopper Sparrow, Song Sparrow, and Eastern Meadow Lark. The Prairie also provides a colorful buffet for foraging deer. In this area, seasonal spring rains flood the fields, attracting Great Egrets, Red-winged Blackbirds, Great Blue Herons, Wood Ducks, and various wading birds. The Columbia Mine Preserve, located at the Snakey Point Complex, has acres upon acres of a Grasslands Classroom. These fields are filled with primarily tall grasses such as Big Bluestem, Indian Grass, and Switch Grass. The endangered Henslow Sparrow calls the grasslands home. Other birds that frequent the area might be Yellow-breasted Chat, Common Yellowthroat, Eastern Meadowlark, Northern Bobwhite Quail, and the American Woodcock. Wild turkey and deer are occasional visitors, while bobcats make rare appearances. Continued page 11...
Thank you to all farmers and their families! We wish for a safe & plentiful harvest!
Gibson County Living | Fall 2026
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Come Visit the NEW Gibson County Animal Services! THANK YOU to all the Gibson County (and beyond!) past and present donors, staff, volunteers, board members, and supporters of all ages for making a difference for all the animals over the past decades. New facility improvements include: • Small Animal Room • Quarantine Room • Medical Room • 38 Outside Kennels • Outside Catio • Meet & Greet Room
• 38 Inside Kennels
(2 oversized for use as whelping kennels)
• Heated Floors • A/C Throughout • Drop-Off Room for Law Enforcement
Emmy Corp. (dba GCAS) was established in the 1990s to run the shelter and has worked diligently to raise funds and care for the county’s animals. We hope this new shelter serves the counties for many more decades to come. Please v isit u your ne xt “fure s & meet ver” fri end!
County Rd 175 • Princeton, IN • 812-664-7369 10 Gibson County Living | Fall 2026
Patoka Refuge continued... The Wetland Classrooms, including Snakey Point, Maxey Marsh, and Buck’s Marsh, offer a totally new experience. A hike on the Buck’s Marsh Boardwalk Trail at Buck’s Marsh, located off SR 57 N, will lead you to a 120-foot boardwalk that juts out into the middle of the marsh. In season, there is a variety of waterfowl and birds including herons, egrets and white pelicans, just to name a few. On the Otter Run Trails at Maxey Marsh, look for signs of otter and beaver. They have worn a path across the trail from their frequent trips between the marsh and the Southfork. This extended classroom area is a hot spot for migratory birds in the spring. There is an organized Tree Trail at Boyd’s Station that identifies various trees and offers insight into a forest habitat. Also included in this area are about 8 miles of hiking trails. The American Bald Eagle might make an appearance at the Snakey Point Complex. To learn even more about wetlands, you can canoe or kayak the Patoka River or at other locations throughout the Refuge. Drive along Meridian Road in Pike County and you will find the Refuge’s Bottomland Hardwood Classroom. Oaks and hickories are easily identified by their leaves. Look for Pin Oak, Bur Oak, Swamp White Oak, Black Walnut, and Shellbark Hickory trees. Silver Maple, Cottonwood, Sycamore, Sweet Gum, and River Birch, as early succession species, will be found in areas that have been previously cleared. Red Shouldered Hawks with their short, rounded wings and long tail maneuver these forests with ease. Upland Forests Classroom like the one found along 650 E north of Pike State Forest is perhaps the most beautiful classroom, especially in the spring. The forest floor is carpeted in wildflowers, a true feast for the eyes. Typical trees of an Upland Forest are White Oak, Black Oak, and Northern Red Oak. Hickories might be Shagbark, Mockernut, and Pignut. You can typically find the Tulip Popular, Sugar Maple, Beech, and Sassafras trees as well. In winter and early spring, the leafless trees offer opportunities to study the trees and experience beautiful forest views. Forests provide food and shelter for a variety of wildlife. These particular woods also allow you to see an oxbow lake, a crescent-shaped body of water that was formed when it was cut off from the main channel of the river which, in this case, is the Patoka River. This area, known as Old Pond, is well worth studying. The Patoka River Refuge is a classroom for independent study as well. Although there is no designated Wildlife Biologist on the staff, several universities and the Indiana DNR use the Refuge for research. This benefits both the Refuge and the wildlife. Bat monitoring studies are done periodically
EDUCATION to help identify the number of bats and note any rare or endangered species. The DNR has conducted Marsh Birds surveys in search of secretive marsh birds like Rails and Bitterns. There are surveys in search of rare turtle species and various water snakes. The Refuge is continually learning about the habitats and the wildlife that call the Refuge home. If you prefer a more organized classroom experience, the Friends of the Patoka River NWR provide opportunities to learn about the Refuge. Programs are provided throughout the year that allow individuals to learn about nature from others in a close up and personal way. The Friends have offered programs on avian species such as Barn Owls, Whooping Cranes, Turkey Vultures, and the American Bald Eagle. Insects, butterflies, creatures that fly at night and dragonflies have been past topics. A remnant of the Wabash-Erie Canal on the Refuge was also a popular program in the past. For the more active learners there are guided hikes. These have included a First Saturday Hike and an Otter Run Hike. There will be an upcoming night hike on October 24 and a last Saturday Hike in December. Other fall programs include a program on Bottomland Trees and a canoe/kayak trip at Gray’s Swamp. The story of Snakey Point and the Hargrove Cemetery will provide a very good lesson on the history of the area. If you are looking for a different kind of classroom, visit the Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge. For more information visit: www.patokarefugefriends. org or www.facebook.com/PatokaRefugeFriends.
Photo courtesy of Dylan Query
Gibson County Living | Fall 2026 11
EDUCATION
One Room to Unified
The Evolution of Our County Schools Written by T. Allen Burr
Long before the East, South, or North Gibson school corporations ever came into being, 135 rural oneroom schoolhouses dotted the county. Built in the 1800s, these schools represented, as our state’s first constitution put it, “a general system of education from township schools to a state university wherein tuition shall be gratis and equally open to all.” The first of such schools was believed to have been built in White River Township sometime around 1807, near the Robb settlement located between present-day Patoka and Hazleton, said renowned historian James T. Tartt. Gibson County was settled by pioneers, and one-room schoolhouses were common. Froggery School in Johnson Township was an example of this type of school. This school was established in the 1800s in the southwestern corner of Gibson County. In 1912, it had a healthy enrollment of 29 pupils, taught by Ms. Julia Elva Lowe. According to Bits & Pieces, a historical compilation by the Delta Kappa Gamma Society, the Mauck, Emerson, Jones, Newman, Cleveland, Reynolds, and Shaw families sent their children there to be educated. The enrollment numbers of this school slowly but surely dwindled over time, and the school was eventually closed around 1925. Another example is the Hovey School, which had been located in Patoka Township. West of Princeton, near the old township lines, Hovey was constructed in the late 1800s. Not a lot is known about the school, but the architecture is representative of what these schools looked like back in that time period. The families who sent their children to be educated here were the Schaible, Tichenor, Witherspoon, Brown, Sprinkle, Lyles, Hatfield, and Gudgel families. After Baldwin Heights School was built in 1921, Hovey School was consolidated, and the students moved to attending Baldwin Heights by 1923, whereupon Hovey was closed and destroyed. The last of these schools I’ll mention is that of Hunt School, located in the far-off eastern corner of our county, just outside of what was then Kirksville,
12 Gibson County Living | Fall 2026
Hovey School circa 1906
otherwise known as Bovine or Wheeling. Hunt School was built in the early 1800s by the family of Monroe Hunt. During the school year spanning 1878 and 1879, the school had a respectable enrollment of 31 students, who all learned under the tutelage of Mr. Angelo Hillman. The families who sent their children there over the years to be educated were many: the Barrett, Brittingham, Burkhardt, Chandler, Dawson, Grubb, Hale, Harvey, Haskins, Hayden, Howell, Hunt, Jenkins, Johnson, McAtee, McDaniel, Marvel, Myrick, O’Neal, Overton, Rhoads, Seifers, Shoultz, Smith, Stone, Welch, and White families all attended at some point or another. The Hunt School was closed in 1937 due to lack of attendance. Many of these schools faced the same issue: Indiana state law at the time mandated that any one-room schoolhouse with an average daily attendance of fewer than 15 students had to be closed by the township trustee. The state refused to provide funding to staff a teacher and maintain a building for just a handful of children. By the turn of the 20th century, Indiana state education leaders began pushing to replace isolated, single-room schoolhouses with multi-room, township-centralized schools. Better roads, the introduction of horse-drawn (and later motorized) "school hacks" or buses, and the desire for graded education drove this early wave. The Indiana School Reorganization Act of 1959 mandated that every county in the state form a committee to consolidate small township districts into larger, more efficient school "corporations" serving at least 1,000 students. Throughout the 1960s, this act completely reshaped Gibson County's educational landscape by merging independent town and township schools into the three primary school corporations that exist today: Continued next page...
EDUCATION 210 S. Main St. Oakland City, IN 47660 812-749-3559
BOOKS, E-BOOKS, E-AUDIOBOOKS, & MORE! Hours: M/W/F 11-4, T/Th 10-6, Sat 9-1 Visit us online at occtplibrary.in.gov
One Room to Unified continued...
South Gibson School Corporation (Established in 1964): Consolidated Johnson, Montgomery, Union, and Wabash township schools, leading to the closure of schools in Owensville, Skelton, Egg Harbor, Haubstadt, Fort Branch, St. James & Warrenton, and the entire Wabash Township district. Though it was the first to establish a unified school corporation, it took a bit longer to fully consolidate the area's high schools. For the first decade of the corporation's existence, the three local town high schools continued to operate independently: Fort Branch Marlette High School, Haubstadt Johnson High School, and Owensville Montgomery High School. The absolute final stage of South Gibson's centralization was completed in August 1974, when those three historic town high schools were closed and merged into the brand-new, centralized Gibson Southern High School. North Gibson School Corporation (Established in 1965): Consolidated Patoka, Washington, and White River township schools, leading to the closure of schools in Patoka, Hazelton, and Mount Olympus, centralizing them under the Princeton High School system. East Gibson School Corporation (Established 1967): Consolidated Barton, Center, and Columbia township schools, leading to the closure of schools in Mackey, Francisco, Oakland City, Buckskin, and Somerville, centralizing them under the Wood Memorial system Our county’s education system did not begin with the school corporations; rather, these one-room schools laid a foundation representing a pursuit of knowledge and educational excellence that the school corporations built upon.
Hunt School circa 1913
Gibson County Living | Fall 2026 13
EDUCATION
Education in the Military
Written by MSG Christopher J. Albrecht & SFC Keith Fischer
Military service is one of the most effective ways to attain higher education in the United States. Over the years, service members have used their military education benefits to earn their degrees and avoid debt from student loans. Programs like the Post-9/11 GI Bill and Federal Tuition Assistance help service members afford their education, and the service itself develops skills in high demand in the job market. Additionally, service members earn credit for their education through the Joint Services Transcript, which allows them to take courses that will transfer toward their degree. The Indiana Army National Guard is one of the best military programs for students from Indiana. This branch of the military allows service members to pursue their college education while maintaining their military duties. This unique program allows service members to gain military experience and earn a steady paycheck while continuing to serve their communities. In addition to other educational opportunities, there are also experiences from the Indiana Army National Guard that cannot be compared to those found in a college classroom. Soldiers earn leadership experience and technical skills that can be applied to civilian jobs. Upon completing their service in the Indiana Army National Guard, soldiers gain valuable civilian and military career experience, along with access to higher education opportunities. For young adults, higher education is one of the most important investments. However, the rising cost of college education poses a significant financial challenge for most families. The Indiana Army National Guard allows individuals of Indiana to earn their degree while also receiving the financial and leadership benefits of military service to their communities. For Indiana college students who are looking to graduate with less debt and with leadership experience in their careers, the Indiana Army National Guard is one of the best opportunities available to them.
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MOUNT OLYMPUS
EDUCATION
Written by Jancey Smith
As Gibson County was settled in the early 1800s and continued to expand, so did the need for schools. With the limited transportation of the time, schools were built a few miles from each other to serve their respective communities. At one time there were 135 little schools in our county. As the population increased and travel means improved, schools began to consolidate. One such example is the Ennes School that was built in the mid-1800s, in the northern part of Gibson County. By 1845, Samuel Kelly had renamed the school Mt. Olympus Hill. Over the years, Mt. Olympus absorbed other small area schools such as Wheeling, Giro, Union Bethel and Hunt School. By 1909, even Pike County began transferring students to Mt. Olympus. A gymnasium was added to the school in 1921 to provide a home for their basketball team that began in 1916. Led by Coach Morley, the Mountaineers didn’t have a single loss that season. Their biggest accomplishment was when they were Gibson County Basketball Champions from 19281930, once again undefeated. The first high school class was in 1902, and the last was in 1965, when it merged with Princeton to become Princeton Community High School. The old schoolhouse was taken down; however, the gym remains to this day. Like other gyms from days gone past, it has been repurposed. It is now a community center and hosts Lions Club meetings, fish fries, 4-H groups, the Alumni Banquet, and other local events. One of the most unique items to come from the loss of the school at Mt. Olympus was a hand-painted brick by Faye Evans. She was the first wife of Paul Evans, who taught at Mt. Olympus for 36 years, and then went on to teach Geometry at Princeton Community. The intricate details are quite remarkable, and it illustrates the quaintness of a school years ago. The brick was an auction item from their Alumni Banquet, which is currently owned by Jim Welch. Past playground equipment can be found in the yard of Jerry Blanton, near the Wheeling crossroads, and more Mountaineer memorabilia is featured at Sullivan’s store in Union. These are but a few tokens of education in the past. Continued page 32...
Echos Captured on Brick Gibson County has a long tradition of local artists capturing our former school buildings on the bricks that came from their demolition. Although often kept in private homes, there are a few great examples on display at the Haubstadt Town Hall. Check some of them out on Page 40!
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Gibson County Living | Fall 2026 15
St. Joseph
CASH RAFFLE ST. JOSEPH CHURCH Dine-In & Drive-Thru!
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Call 812-385-2617 for questions License #014857
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2026 | 11 AM – 1 PM Tickets may be purchased at the Parish Center. Carry-out dinners will only be available thru the drive-thru car line. Leftovers will be sold at 1:30 PM.
BUILD THE MIND. BUILD THE CHILD. BUILD THE FUTURE. KINDERGARTEN - 2ND GRADE LOCATED IN HAUBSTADT, INDIANA
ENROLL TODAY & WATCH YOUR CHILD GROW– ACADEMICALLY, PERSONALLY, & CONFIDENTLY! 16 Gibson County Living | Fall 2026
Returning to our Roots: Sacred Roots
EDUCATION
Written by Michele Elpers & Lexi Michel
Sacred Roots Schoolhouse began with a simple but meaningful mission: to help bring a strong foundation back to elementary education. Today’s children are often expected to spend more time at desks and less time doing what they were naturally created to do: play, explore, create, and discover. Research consistently shows that children under the age of eight learn best through handson experiences and purposeful play. These early years are when problem solving, communication, confidence, and a love of learning begin to take root. So, at Sacred Roots, our mornings are structured strong in reading, writing, and arithmetic. Afternoon will include learning through gardening, caring for animals, nature study, homestead skills, and work that teaches responsibility, curiosity, and stewardship. Our one-room schoolhouse is a place where younger students are inspired by older classmates, while older students naturally grow into leadership and mentorship. It’s an approach that builds confidence and character. As a mother and daughter team, we didn’t set out to replace traditional schools as we know there are many wonderful schools serving families well. Instead, we felt called to create another option for children who thrive in a different kind of environment. Every child learns differently, and not every child flourishes sitting at a desk all day. While we are not accredited, this is an intentional choice that allows us to focus on our mission and provide a personalized faith-centered education. Our program is led by educators with years of experience who understand both Indiana standards and how children learn best. With small class sizes, we can provide individualized instruction to help them reach their full potential. Our hope is that every child who walks through our doors leaves with a solid education and a lifelong love for learning. If you’re looking for a different approach to education, we’d love to connect with you. Visit our website at www.sacredrootssh.com to apply, learn more about Sacred Roots Schoolhouse, and schedule a tour to see if we’re the right fit for your family.
Gibson County Living | Fall 2026 17
EDUCATION
Educated at Home in Gibson County Written by Becky LeCloux
In line with the nationwide trend, homeschooling in Gibson County is on the rise. Homeschooling has been reaffirmed as a practical way to educate children in the US, and it continues to grow throughout our state.
What is homeschooling? The Indiana Association of Home Educators defines homeschooling as parent-directed, home-based, and privately funded education. Home-based learning shifted from being the most common form of education in the United States for more than 100 years to being nearly extinct in the 1970s, then experienced a resurgence, reaching an estimated 3 million K–12 students in 2022. While homeschooling numbers in our county increased significantly in recent years, likely due to the pandemic, the reasons for this educational choice vary by family. It might surprise you to learn that home education in Gibson County has had a thriving community of families for several decades. Starting in the 1990’s, local homeschool families met weekly for socialization and educational purposes. Fast forward to the present day, and homeschooling families in Gibson County network through social media, such as the Gibson County Indiana Homeschool page and group, found on Facebook. Educational options in Gibson County have never been greater. Those seeking connection with other homeschool families have access to a wide variety of social and educational groups and co-ops. Thriving homeschool groups are found not only in Princeton but also in Mt. Carmel, Vincennes, Petersburg, and Evansville. Parents have many local resources at their fingertips for outsourcing subjects and giving their child(ren) a robust education. Lyles Station offers home-educated students hands-on classes on local history through its “Civil War Experience.” In Evansville, the YMCA offers several subjects in a range of grade levels for homeschool students to join. The invaluable educational resources found in our county are as close as the local library, and our libraries offer many programs to benefit homeschooling students.
18 Gibson County Living | Fall 2026
While the reasons for choosing to homeschool vary widely among parents, most enjoy the flexibility in schedules and the freedom to nurture their child’s natural curiosity. Once the choice to homeschool has been made, getting started is simple. According to the Homeschool Legal Defense Association, Indiana is considered a green state. This means our state offers clear, simple laws for homeschooling parents to follow. There is no one-size-fits-all homeschool plan; parents can choose religious or secular publishers, use the internet, or opt for screen-free learning. Additionally, there are many ways to homeschool your child for little to no out-of-pocket expenses. The key for most is not to recreate school at home, but to create an atmosphere where learning is integrated into life. We should also include a few words from a current homeschool student to help see and understand the possibilities. When asked about his favorite subject, Ethan, currently studying as an 8th grader in Gibson County, says “Science. I enjoy figuring out how things work. The biology of plants and how they use water and sunlight, and things like that.” And what is he most excited to learn about during this school year? “New things in math and Science. More Algebra!” Parents and caregivers looking to understand all of their alternative educational options in Gibson County can reach out to Gibson County Indiana Homeschool on Facebook or by email: gibsoncountyhomeschool@gmail.com or to F.A.I.T.H. on their website, https://www.faithincgibson.org/.
EDUCATION Question: Can I choose the curriculum my child uses? Answer: Yes. Indiana law requires parents to provide an equivalent education; however, home educators are not required to teach the same subjects as listed in the IDOE state standards. This gives you complete control over your child’s subject and elective choices. Question: Do I have to notify anyone of my intent to homeschool if my child has never been enrolled in a public or private school? Answer: No. Indiana law does not require any type of report if your child has never been enrolled. You are required to begin tracking attendance when your child begins homeschooling at age 7. Question: Do I have to wait until a new school year to start homeschooling? Answer: No. Parents may withdraw their student at any time during the current school year. While homeschool families are not required to report to the state, children currently enrolled in public or private school must be formally withdrawn. A withdrawal letter sent by certified mail is recommended. Question: Do we have to follow the local school schedule? Answer: No. Indiana law states that children ages 7 to 18 must be educated for the number of days their local school system is in session. (This is typically 180 days) The Indiana school year begins on July 1st and ends on June 30th the following year. Parents are free to set their own schooling schedule within those dates to meet the required number of days.
Question: Can my homeschooling child still participate in school sports? Answer: Indiana law states that this decision is up to the local school superintendent. While historically, Gibson County students have not been allowed to participate in school sports, there is a NASP homeschool archery team, and students can still join recreational leagues in our county. Question: How do I comply with the Indiana laws for homeschooling? Here’s what you need to know about the Homeschool Laws in Indiana: •
Indiana Code classifies a home school as a nonaccredited, nonpublic school with fewer than one employee.
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Compulsory school age is 7-18 years of age or when the student graduates.
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Children must attend school for the number of days that the local school corporation is in session, which is generally 180 days each year.
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Keep attendance records.
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Provide an equivalent education.
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Homeschool instruction must be conducted in English.
Find more answers to your questions about homeschooling at IAHE.NET
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EDUCATION
BETHEL
Written by Hannah Garrett, Principal
Bethel Christian School, located in Princeton, offers an alternative to public education since 1981. We offer twoday 3-year-old preschool, half-day and full-day 4-year-old preschool and kindergarten options, and first through eighth grade. We offer boys' basketball and girls' volleyball for thirdeighth graders. If you are ready for a family-like atmosphere and Christ-centered teaching, we'd love to have you. Check us out at bethelchristianschool.com.
HOLY CROSS
Written by Nathan Winstead, Principal
Holy Cross Catholic School was founded in 1948 and has continued to serve the community of Fort Branch and its surrounding areas by providing students with a quality, faithbased education. Over 160 preschool through 5th grade students are enrolled this coming school year, and for the first time there will be two kindergarten classes due to increasing enrollment. Students continually perform among the top schools in the state on state testing exams, but a focus on supporting the whole child is our goal. Throughout the year, students participate in projects supporting our area, helping them grow into future leaders within our community. For more information about Holy Cross Catholic School at 202 S Church St, Fort Branch, IN, contact Nathan Winstead at nwinstead@ evdio.org.
ST. JAMES
Written by David Memmer, Principal
St. James Catholic School provides faith formation and a holistic educational experience for preschool through 8th grade students. St. James maintains a 12-to-1 student-teacher ratio and is recognized for high pass rates on both the IREAD–3 and ILEARN assessments. Faith formation includes sacramental prep, religion classes, and weekly Mass. St. James is accredited through the state of Indiana as well as The Catholic University of America (Lumen). Students receive specialized instruction in art, music, physical education, and STEM programs. St. James participates in the Indiana School Choice Voucher Program (Choice Scholarship) and offers before/afterschool care to accommodate working families.
20 Gibson County Living | Fall 2026
STS. PETER & PAUL
EDUCATION
Written by Amie Hulfachor, Pastoral Associate for Mission At Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic School, students discover that faith and curiosity go hand in hand. Rooted in the traditions of Catholic education, students attend Mass twice weekly, pray together daily and participate in a virtues program that encourages them to live like Christ in and out of the classroom. By intentionally focusing on virtues such as reverence, gratitude, mercy and magnificence, students learn that academic excellence and holiness grow together. Our commitment to helping every child excel extends throughout our academic programs. In addition to the traditional K-5 curriculum, our dedicated resource program provides individualized support to help students reach their full potential, while our full-time science teacher brings learning to life in a dedicated science lab through hands-on FOSS science curriculum. As students conduct experiments and make observations, they develop critical thinking skills while discovering the beauty and wonder of God's creation. By blending our Catholic heritage with innovative teaching methods, Sts. Peter & Paul is preparing students not only for academic success but also for lives grounded in faith and purpose.
ST. JOSEPH
Written by Angie Walden, Retired Teacher
St. Joseph Catholic School in Princeton has been serving the community since 1890. This long history of existence has produced many fine citizens and scholars. Our Mission Statement says it well: At St. Joseph Catholic School, faculty/staff, parents and the entire parish community are collectively dedicated to providing a faith-filled Catholic education that fosters the growth of the whole child. Through developmentally appropriate academics, we facilitate social growth in a safe environment and inspire self-discipline, personal responsibility, love of learning and compassion for others in the world. Although we are a Catholic School, St. Joseph welcomes anyone of different faiths and backgrounds. Our caring and knowledgeable staff sees each child as an individual and strives to meet the needs of that child. We offer Preschool, PreKindergarten, and grades K through 5. Ninety-nine percent of our students graduate high school, and eighty-five percent go on to college. We are an Arated school by the State of Indiana and offer the Indiana Choice Scholarship that makes attending our school affordable. We offer before and after school care, and our students use the North Gibson bus system. We see St. Joseph School as a happy place where children learn, play, participate in several sports and are nurtured spiritually, emotionally, academically and socially.
Gibson County Living | Fall 2026 21
EDUCATION
East Gibson School Corporation:
Honoring Our Heritage, Preparing for the Future Written by Dr. Michael Galvin, Superintendent
For more than sixty years, East Gibson School Corporation has served as a cornerstone of education in Eastern Gibson County. Built upon a strong tradition of community involvement, academic excellence, and student-centered learning, the corporation continues to evolve while remaining committed to its mission of preparing students for success in an ever-changing world. Today, EGSC serves approximately 682 students from pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade and remains the smallest of the three public school corporations in Gibson County. Despite its size, the district has earned a reputation for providing highquality educational opportunities, personalized attention, and strong community connections. With an impressive teacher-to-student ratio of approximately 11:1, students benefit from meaningful relationships with educators and individualized support that helps them achieve academic success.
ADAPTING TO MEET STUDENT NEEDS The district's commitment to excellence remains steadfast as educational expectations and workforce demands evolve. One significant recent change occurred in December 2022, when the East Gibson School Board approved the closure of Francisco Elementary School. This difficult decision was made after careful consideration of enrollment trends, facility needs, and long-term sustainability. The closure resulted in a reconfiguration of the district's schools to maximize educational opportunities and resources. In 2023-2024, Oakland City Elementary School transitioned from serving kindergarten through sixth grade to become Wood Memorial Primary School, serving pre-K through second grade. Barton Township School became Wood Memorial Intermediate School, serving grades three through five. Wood Memorial Junior High School expanded its role to become Wood Memorial Middle School, serving grades six through eight, with Wood Memorial High School serving grades nine through twelve. This reorganization created a more developmentally appropriate educational structure, allowing the district to better align resources and instructional programs, strengthen continuity across grade levels, and enhance collaboration among educators.
A RICH HISTORY ROOTED IN COMMUNITY EGSC was established in 1965 through the consolidation of several smaller community schools, including Buckskin, Francisco, Mackey, Oakland City, and Somerville Schools. The consolidation united East Gibson County communities under a shared vision of educational excellence while preserving the region’s close-knit values. The district's rural heritage continues to be one of its greatest strengths, fostering a culture where students, staff, families, and community members work together. This strong sense of community has helped East Gibson maintain its identity while adapting to changing educational needs, preparing students not only for academic achievement but also for productive citizenship, career readiness, and lifelong learning.
22 Gibson County Living | Fall 2026
A MISSION FOCUSED ON STUDENT SUCCESS East Gibson is dedicated to creating impactful educational experiences while fostering positive relationships. EGSC’s mission is to prepare all students for tomorrow's future by equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and character necessary to thrive in college, careers, and life. This commitment and the dedication of the teachers and staff are reflected in academic outcomes as students consistently perform at or above Indiana state assessment averages. Student achievement indicators highlight this success:
Third Grade Literacy Proficiency: 81.5% Graduation Pathways Completion Rate: 81.5% Advanced Coursework Participation: 63% of students complete advanced coursework prior to entering high school
• • • • • • • •
Education EDUCATION Business Accounting Project Lead the Way Engineering Hospitality Work-Based Learning Additional career-focused programs aligned with student interests and workforce needs Starting with the 2026-2027 school year, a Construction Pathway that provides hands-on experiences and workforce-ready skills in a highdemand industry
East Gibson also collaborates with the other Gibson County school corporations and Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana through the 4T Academy program. This partnership provides students with advanced manufacturing and technical education experiences to prepare for high-demand careers.
SUPPORTING THE WHOLE CHILD Recognizing that student success extends beyond academics, EGSC has expanded programs to meet the needs of students and families. In 2024, the district launched Little Trojans Preschool in response to the limited childcare and early childhood education opportunities in the Oakland City community. It provides young learners with a strong foundation for academic success while supporting local families. The district also implemented a Whole Child Classroom at the elementary level to address students’ social and emotional needs. This program focuses on developing self-regulation, communication skills, emotional awareness, and positive behaviors that contribute to academic and personal success. Additionally, East Gibson partners with Youth First of Southwestern Indiana to provide social work services for students and families. Students receive support in areas such as mental health, family challenges, attendance concerns, and social-emotional development, helping ensure that students can access the resources they need to succeed. PREPARING STUDENTS FOR COLLEGE AND CAREERS Wood Memorial High School provides students with opportunities to explore career interests, earn college credit, and gain real-world experiences before graduation. Students can graduate with valuable skills and a clearer understanding of career options. Wood Memorial currently offers several internal career pathways, including:
Students seeking additional specialized training may attend the Southern Indiana Career and Technical Center to access a range of career pathways and industry certifications. EGSC continues to invest in learning opportunities that prepare students for an increasingly technology-driven world. The district maintains a 1:1 technology initiative, providing every student with access to a personal device to support learning both in and outside the classroom. Elementary students use iPads, while students in the upper grades receive Apple laptop computers, ensuring access to digital resources, research tools, collaboration platforms, and career-ready technology skills. In addition, EGSC offers Project Lead the Way (PLTW) programming in grades Kindergarten through 12, providing hands-on experiences in STEM, engineering, computer science, and problem-solving. These opportunities help students develop critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration skills. Continued next page...
Gibson County Living | Fall 2026 23
EDUCATION
EGSC continued...
EXCELLENCE BEYOND THE CLASSROOM Wood Memorial offers a variety of extracurricular activities that help students develop confidence, responsibility, lifelong skills, and meaningful connections with peers and mentors. This includes leadership organizations, such as the National Honor Society at both the middle and high school levels, and a robust athletic program that encourages teamwork, leadership, perseverance, and school pride. Athletic opportunities include cross country, volleyball, girls’ and boys’ tennis, girls’ and boys’ basketball, softball, baseball, and track and field. LOOKING TOWARD THE FUTURE As EGSC continues to grow and evolve, district leaders recognize that investments in facilities, technology, curriculum, and student services are essential. In 2026, the East Gibson School Board approved an extensive facilities audit to evaluate future building improvements and potential renovations. This is the first step in a long-term vision to provide modern learning environments while preserving EGSC’s strong educational traditions.
24 Gibson County Living | Fall 2026
East Gibson continues to position itself as a leader in rural education by carefully planning for the future while staying grounded in the community values that guided it for six decades: strong relationships, community pride, educational excellence, and a commitment to preparing every student for the opportunities and challenges of tomorrow.
Building for the Future: North Gibson’s Vision Every generation inherits a responsibility to leave something better for those who follow. For North Gibson School Corporation, that responsibility centers on creating opportunities for young people to learn, grow, and succeed. Today, that commitment is taking shape in a new way as North Gibson embarks on an ambitious initiative to improve buildings, invest in students, strengthen the community, and prepare for the future. According to Superintendent Dr. Eric Goggins, the proposed projects are the result of years of planning by multiple school boards and administrative teams. "This isn't a new list of ideas," Goggins explained during a public hearing. "These are projects that have been discussed, prioritized, and refined over many years as we've looked at the needs of our students and our facilities." The first visible phase is already underway. Construction began this summer on improvements to Gil Hodges Field, including upgraded parking, new concessions and restroom facilities, improved accessibility, and enhanced seating areas. That’s only the beginning. A series of campus-wide improvements could bring nearly $40 million in investments to North Gibson schools over several years. What makes this initiative unique is not just its size but its focus on reaching as many students, programs, and schools as possible while reducing the overall school tax burden. A ONCE-IN-A-GENERATION OPPORTUNITY There are moments when preparation meets possibility. The expiration of the Patoka/Union Township TIF district in 2025 presents exactly that kind of moment. When the TIF expires, more than $450 million in assessed value will return to the local tax base for North Gibson School Corporation, creating a rare opportunity to address long-standing facility needs while protecting taxpayers. In fact, these projects are being financed while bringing a significant tax decrease to North Gibson taxpayers. In total, this equates to a $0.2535 decrease in the school district’s overall tax rate for 2026, a 23% decrease from 2025. During the public hearing process, Board President Joe Williams emphasized that the district may never have another opportunity like this one: "This will be the only time we can do that because I'll guarantee you if we don't do it, it's not going to be available for us in two years because we're not the only entity in this county."
EDUCATION Written by Dr. Noah Velthouse, Assistant Superintendent
A PLAN FOR EVERY SCHOOL This proposal was guided by a simple idea: every student matters, and every school matters. From students entering primary school to seniors preparing for graduation, the goal is that every child benefits. At the primary school, plans include replacing original windows and refreshing exterior building systems to improve efficiency, comfort, and long-term building performance. Similar window replacement projects are proposed for the 3-8 building, addressing decades-old infrastructure. LED lighting upgrades, HVAC improvements, updated pneumatic controls, and other infrastructure investments are expected to reduce long-term maintenance and operating costs while improving the learning environment. Parking lot renovations at the 3-5 building will improve student safety, traffic flow, and parent pickup procedures. The proposal also includes district-wide technology upgrades, campus safety improvements, enhanced lighting, traffic flow renovations, and improvements to walking paths. Middle school students will benefit from renovations to science labs, media center spaces, locker rooms, concession facilities, and climate-control systems. The middle school auditorium is slated to receive significant upgrades, improving opportunities for performances, assemblies, and community events. High school students will see improvements to technology infrastructure, corridor flooring, and lighting systems. Plans also include improvements for the marching band program, renovations to athletic facilities, and upgrades to instructional spaces that support modern teaching and learning practices. The perennial state finalist Marching Tigers will have a permanent band tower. Together, the projects represent a balanced investment in academics, arts, athletics, safety, and infrastructure. During public discussions, Dr. Goggins emphasized that the project was intentionally designed to provide lasting benefits throughout the school system, "Every building and the majority of our student programs will be touched." That approach has helped generate support among district leaders. Continued next page...
Gibson County Living | Fall 2026 25
EDUCATION
decline, the district maintains a strong bond rating, and financial projections utilized during planning have intentionally been conservative.
NGSC continued...
FROM VISION TO REALITY This story is not about construction projects. It’s about students walking into classrooms designed for the future, musicians performing in improved facilities, athletes training year-round, teachers working in modern learning environments, and families gathering in spaces that reflect the pride of an entire community.
THE CROWN JEWEL: TIGER FIELDHOUSE Every great project has a centerpiece that captures the larger vision. For North Gibson, that’s the Tiger Fieldhouse. More than an athletic facility, it represents a commitment to giving students opportunities previous generations could only imagine. It’s designed not for one team or season, but for yearround growth, development, and excellence.
It’s about a school corporation investing in the future while remaining mindful of the taxpayers who make that future possible. Years from now, North Gibson students may never know the details of financing plans, bond schedules, or tax rates. They will know that someone believed enough in their potential to build opportunities for them before they arrived.
Designed around a full-sized indoor field turf surface, the Tiger Fieldhouse will provide year-round opportunities for North Gibson's outdoor programs. It will allow athletes and extracurricular programs like the Marching Tigers to train consistently regardless of rain, snow, or extreme temperatures. This will impact multiple activities, including football, baseball, softball, golf, soccer, and track and field. The new facility will also include a state-ofthe-art auxiliary gymnasium for indoor programs. Basketball, volleyball, cheerleading, and other student organizations will gain additional practice and competition space, reducing scheduling conflicts and increasing flexibility. RESPONSIBLE STEWARDSHIP FOR THE LONG TERM Throughout the planning process, community members have appropriately asked questions about project costs, priorities, and long-term financial obligations. District leaders have emphasized that the proposed $40 million figure represents a maximum authorization rather than a commitment to spending. Individual projects will continue to be refined, prioritized, and phased based on need, cost, and available funding. The district will continue holding public meetings and work sessions, ensuring transparency and opportunities for community input. North Gibson enters this process from a position of financial strength and years of careful stewardship. Existing debt obligations continue to
FOR
NORTH GIBSON SCHOOL BOARD 26 Gibson County Living | Fall 2026
STUDENTS FIRST STRONG SCHOOLS BRIGHT FUTURES PAID FOR BY AMY BINGHAM FOR SCHOOL BOARD COMMITTEE
South Gibson School Corp HISTORY Before Gibson Southern High School existed, the South Gibson School Corporation was served by three high schools located in Haubstadt, Fort Branch and Owensville. In 1974, the schools consolidated into a single high school located approximately equal distance from each community. Students from the three towns came together to become the Titans.
South Gibson continues to maintain a school in each community, preserving the identities of the Elites, Twigs and Kickapoos. Over time, the original community schools were replaced with modern facilities that provided additional classroom space, improved athletic areas, outdoor recreation opportunities and beautiful gymnasiums. Today, few K-8 school configurations remain in Indiana, with most school corporations having transitioned to separate elementary and middle or junior high schools. The opportunity to attend school with many of the same classmates from kindergarten through eighth grade remains a unique aspect of the South Gibson experience. Although no longer part of the school corporation, the gymnasiums at each former high school continue to serve their communities. Their continued use allows current students to connect with local school history while giving alumni an opportunity to maintain a connection to their school experiences. These historic facilities possess a character and charm often absent in modern athletic venues. This past year, the Gibson Southern girls’ basketball team hosted a throwback game in the Fort Branch gym, celebrating both tradition and community pride.
EDUCATION Written by Dr. Bryan A. Perry, Superintendent
TODAY South Gibson School Corporation serves more than 2,100 students from throughout the region. Changes in state funding policies have increased interest among families living outside the district in attending South Gibson schools. Admission for outof-district students is based upon available space at each grade level and school. Academic excellence remains the driving force behind South Gibson's work. Families who choose to attend from outside the district often cite the academic success of South Gibson students and staff. Once again, the Indiana Department of Education recognized South Gibson as a Performance Qualified district based on student achievement. This past year, Haubstadt, Fort Branch and Owensville schools were each recognized for achieving a 95% or higher pass rate on the thirdgrade IREAD assessment. Equally encouraging is the growing number of second-grade students successfully passing the exam. In addition, South Gibson students consistently perform at or above state averages on !LEARN assessments in grades 3 through 8. Teachers throughout the district remain committed to providing high-quality instruction and support for all students. At the high school level, students have access to a wide variety of academic opportunities. Students enrolled in Gibson Southern chapter of the National FFA Organization continue to achieve at high levels in state competitions, and a new greenhouse is currently under construction to expand agricultural education opportunities. Annually, the program maintains an agricultural field on campus. Students learn multiple skills in the National FFA Organization. The Drive Your Tractor to School Day is always a big hit with staff and students. Another growing academic program is eSports. Gibson Southern features a state-of-the-art eSports facility where students develop computing, coding and technology skills while competing against students from across the country. The facility includes racing simulators, a semi-truck simulator and a flight simulator, providing students with unique opportunities to explore technologyrelated interests. Few schools in the region offer a comparable program. Students also have access to a variety of careerfocused pathways. Beginning this year, Gibson Continued next page...
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EDUCATION
SGSC continued...
Southern will offer Project Lead the Way engineering courses that can lead to advanced academic study and career opportunities. Many students also choose to attend the Southern Indiana Career and Technical Center, where they develop valuable skills through hands-on career programs. Additionally, students may participate in the 4T Academy, which provides pathways to employment with Toyota, postsecondary education or other skilled career opportunities.
expanding athletic facilities to meet the needs of a growing student population. A new administration office was also constructed, replacing the district's former administrative space. Located on the Gibson Southern campus, the administration office provides a convenient and centralized location for district operations.
Gibson Southern offers numerous dual-credit and Advanced Placement courses. These opportunities allow students to earn college credits while still in high school, reducing both the time and cost required to complete a college degree. Students enrolled in Advanced Placement courses consistently earn scores above the state average, further increasing their opportunities for college success. The Gibson Southern Theatre program has a long tradition of outstanding student performances. Each year, students present two major productions. In the fall, Vaudeville showcases a wide range of student talent from throughout the school. The event is especially meaningful because it attracts students who may not typically participate in theatre. Each spring, the program presents a musical production. This year, audiences of all ages enjoyed Nickelodeon's "The SpongeBob Musical," demonstrating the students' willingness to take on ambitious and challenging performances.
South Gibson School Corporation has consistently prioritized the maintenance and improvement of its facilities. While the condition of school buildings is often visible, the mechanical systems that support daily operations are equally important. During the past seven years, HVAC systems at each K-8 building have been replaced or are currently being upgraded, helping ensure comfortable, healthy and energyefficient learning environments. Many of these projects were completed using cash reserves rather than bond financing, demonstrating the district's commitment to responsible fiscal management. In the fall of 2025, construction began on a new multi-purpose athletic facility. The 22,000-squarefoot building will provide year-round practice space for athletic teams and activities. Designed with a turf surface suitable for multiple sports, the facility will allow teams to train regardless of weather conditions. Additional features include a three-lane sprint and hurdle training area, protective netting
Today, visitors traveling along Coal Mine Road are greeted by a beautifully maintained high school campus. Gibson Southern underwent a complete renovation in 2010, updating classroom spaces and
28 Gibson County Living | Fall 2026
around the main field, three drop-down practice tunnels and two athlete changing rooms. Completion is scheduled for August 2026.
Gibson Southern is already preparing for the implementation of Indiana's new diploma requirements. These diplomas are designed to ensure that students graduate both workforce- and career-ready. Work-based learning experiences will play a significant role in the new diploma pathways, with students completing internship experiences aligned to their career interests. Partnerships with local businesses and organizations will be essential in providing these valuable opportunities. During the 2026-27 school year, Indiana will reintroduce school accountability grades. Administrators throughout South Gibson are already studying the newly released criteria and making adjustments to ensure continued student success. Their goal is not only to achieve strong academic results but also to maintain schools that the communities take pride in supporting and attending. Educating young people remains an important and meaningful mission. The teachers of South Gibson School Corporation are dedicated, highly-skilled professionals whose commitment to students is reflected in the district's strong teacher retention rates and academic success. While education will continue to evolve, South Gibson is well positioned to meet future challenges and opportunities. TITAN PRIDE!
ALL YOUR HEATING NEEDS
FUTURE The future of South Gibson School Corporation is bright. The Board of School Trustees remains committed to maintaining a strong financial foundation while ensuring students and staff have access to the best possible educational experiences. As education continues to evolve, South Gibson will remain focused on adapting to new opportunities and challenges.
Serving Gibson County and surrounding areas!
WE FILL PROPANE AND KEROSENE
Athletics continue to thrive throughout the South Gibson School Corporation. South Gibson teams consistently compete at high levels within the Pocket Athletic Conference and state tournament competition. Titan teams have captured sectional, regional, semi-state and state championships. Strong support of the community remains one of the hallmarks of South Gibson athletics, with fans regularly filling venues both at home and on the road.
EDUCATION
PARTENHEIMER, KINKLE & PARTENHEIMER MICK SERVING GIBSON COUNTY FOR OVER 125 YEARS
Pamela Partenheimer Mick, Attorney at Law • Real Estate and Closings • Real Property • Immigration • Corporate Formation and Compliance • Regulatory and Administrative • Trusts and Estates • Agriculture, Mineral, Oil, and Gas • Adoptions and Guardianships
812-386-0050 or pamela@pkpmlaw.com 219 North Hart Street, P.O. Box 13 Princeton, Indiana 47670
Gibson County Living | Fall 2026 29
EDUCATION
Foster Grandparents
CAPE and AmeriCorps Senior's Foster Grandparent Program is looking for seniors ready to give — and receive — something extraordinary, and this proven program is already up and running in Owensville, Oakland City, and Princeton!
If you're 55 or older and looking for a reason to get up in the morning, we have one for you. Right now, in classrooms and Head Start centers across Gibson County, children are waiting for someone steady, someone patient, someone who shows up just for them and helps them get ready for kindergarten. That someone could be you.
The Foster Grandparent Program places you directly in a classroom, working one-on-one and in small groups with children who need extra support: helping with reading, letters, numbers, and learning through play, and simply being the steady, caring presence every child deserves. It costs you nothing to serve, and what you get back is hard to put a price on. The need is real, the early intervention data is remarkable, and the one-on-one attention — a book read aloud, a letter sounded out, a hand held through a hard moment — is often exactly what bridges the distance between a child starting school behind and starting ready. Open to adults age 55 and older who meet income eligibility guidelines, there is no prior classroom experience required, just patience, reliability, and a willingness to show up for a child who needs you. A child is waiting for someone steady, someone who can help them arrive at kindergarten ready to learn, ready to belong, and ready to succeed. You could be exactly what they need, and they could be exactly what you need, too. Ready to Fill Your Cup With Love? Reach out to Brandy Knelson, Foster Grandparent Director, to learn how to get started, office (812)492-3973, bknelson@capeevansville.org.
30 Gibson County Living | Fall 2026
Written by Brandy Knelson
What It Does for the Kids: Loretta's Story Loretta Vanpell had a boy in her classroom, not yet three years old, who was painfully shy. He would watch the other children go up to her, but he never did, not at first. Then, slowly, something shifted. He started bringing her one book at a time. Then two. Then three. He would climb into her lap and listen as she read aloud, one story after another. Before long, he was naming the characters and pointing out pictures on his own. By the end of the school year, he was reading some of the words out loud right along with her. He didn't just learn to read. He learned that someone would always be there to turn the page with him.
A boy who once wouldn't come near her, or anyone, by year's end, was reading beside her — one book at a time.
What It Does for the Seniors: Pam's Story
Pam Harlow had worked since she was 14 years old. When she retired, the quiet caught up with her. She started feeling empty, invisible, and lonely, with nowhere to be and no one depending on her. So, she went looking for something part-time, and two women told her about the Foster Grandparent Program. With her background in childcare, it was a perfect fit. She found structure again. She found a reason to get up in the morning, and she found something she didn't expect to find twice in one lifetime: pure joy, waiting for her at the classroom door. “The best feeling in the world is walking in and seeing all the kids waiting at the door with their arms out and smiles, waiting for hugs. It fills your heart with joy. It's the purest, most honest form of love there is.” — Pam Harlow Pam has a saying for it now. On her way to her Head Start site each morning, she tells people she's on her way to go get her cup filled with love.
To learn more, and see a full list of events, visit:
business.gogibson.org/events
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Events
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Gibson County Living | Fall 2026 31
Mount Olympus continued from page 15...
Painting of Mt. Olympus school & gym by Artist Faye Evans from the Private Collection of Jim Welch. The school is gone, but the gym still stands and continues to be used.
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32 Gibson County Living | Fall 2026
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Gibson County Living | Fall 2026 33
M&M Hardware
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Timeline of the History of Oakland City University
EDUCATION Written by T. Allen Burr
FOUNDING OF THE OAKLAND INSTITUTE
Prominent local leaders James and William M. Cockrum establish the Oakland Institute in Oakland City. Operating as a select subscription academy and normal school for teacher preparation, it educated over 100 students in its inaugural years and planted the seeds for collegiate education in Gibson County.
STATE CHARTER FOR OAKLAND CITY COLLEGE & DR. A. D. WILLIAMS APPOINTED FIRST PRESIDENT
The Educational Board of the General Association of General Baptists formally secures a charter from the State of Indiana to found Oakland City College. Dr. A. D. Williams was named the institution’s first president, embarking on regional fundraising campaigns across Indiana and Kentucky.
OPENING OF CAMPUS & OLD MAIN
Construction completed on the iconic two-story red-brick administration building ("Old Main") situated on the hilltop land donated by the Cockrum family. Oakland City College officially opens for classes, serving local students in classical liberal arts, theology, and teacher education.
INAUGURATION OF VARSITY ATHLETICS
Oakland City College launches its formal intercollegiate athletic programs, beginning with men's baseball and basketball. The teams adopted orange and black as school colors and soon earned the nickname the "Mighty Oaks."
DEDICATION OF WHEATLEY HALL
1933
1931
1927
1911
GOLDEN AGE OF LITERARY & MUSICAL SOCIETIES
Student culture thrives through organizations like the Philomathean and Adelphian Literary Societies, the College Orchestra, and the Choral Union. These groups regularly hosted regional oratorical contests, dramatic plays, and public musical showcases in Gibson County.
1924 1920
1895
1891
1885
1867
As the days ahead are an immense season of change for Oakland City University, it’s a great time to reflect on the incredible history of this Gibson County institution that begin in 1867…
Wheatley Hall opens as a women's dormitory and academic facility, named in honor of Ella Wheatley (née Cockrum), commemorating her family’s foundational leadership and financial stewardship.
COMPLETION OF MEMORIAL GYMNASIUM
The college dedicates Memorial Gym to honor local soldiers who served in World War I. The building became a historic local sports venue, hosting high school basketball tournaments, collegiate athletics, and community assemblies.
FUTURE RENOWNED MANHATTAN PROJECT PHYSICIST DR. MELBA PHILLIPS GRADUATES
Melba Phillips graduates from Oakland City College with a Bachelor of Arts degree. She went on to become a pioneering theoretical physicist under J. Robert Oppenheimer, making historic contributions to nuclear physics (the Oppenheimer-Phillips process) and serving as a leader in physics education.
EXPANSION OF THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION
The college formalizes its School of Religion, establishing a structured curriculum to train General Baptist ministers, lay leaders, and religious educators serving congregations throughout the Midwest.
FUTURE HARVARD PRESIDENT & HISTORIAN W. K. JORDAN GRADUATES
Wilbur Kitchener (W. K.) Jordan earns his degree from OCC before completing his doctorate at Harvard. He became a distinguished Tudor historian and later served as the president of Radcliffe College at Harvard University. Continued next page... Gibson County Living | Fall 2026 35
2002 1999 1995 1990
1986
1983
1981
1973
1968
1956
1947
EDUCATION
OCU continued...
POST-WAR GI BILL BOOM & GIL HODGES ATTENDS OCC
Enrollment surges with returning World War II veterans utilizing the G.I. Bill. During this era, future Major League Baseball legend and Hall of Famer Gil Hodges attended classes and played varsity basketball for the Mighty Oaks before rising to stardom with the Brooklyn Dodgers.
DEDICATION OF BRENGLE HALL OF SCIENCE
To meet growing national demand in STEM disciplines and health sciences, the college opens Brengle Hall, equipping the campus with modern chemistry, biology, and physics laboratories.
OPENING OF STINSON HALL FINE ARTS CENTER
Fine arts education expands significantly with the dedication of Stinson Hall. Featuring a dedicated music wing and a main auditorium, the building became the primary venue for university theatrical plays, choir concerts, and civic lectures.
COCKRUM HALL STUDENT CENTER OPENS
Cockrum Hall opens as the centerpiece for campus social life, housing student dining halls, the campus bookstore, recreational lounges, and student government association offices.
NLCAA CHAMPIONSHIP & COACH JERRY REYNOLDS ERA
The Mighty Oaks basketball program captures the NLCAA National Championship. Head Coach Jerry Reynolds—an alumnus who went on to coach in the NBA with the Sacramento Kings—helped elevate the institution's regional and national athletic profile.
FUTURE MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL EXECUTIVE GARY DENBO COMPETES FOR OCC
Standout baseball player Gary Denbo completes his collegiate athletic career with the Mighty Oaks. He transitioned into professional baseball, later serving as hitting coach for the New York Yankees and Vice President of Player Development for the Miami Marlins.
GOSPEL ICON ERNIE HAASE BEGINS STUDIES
Grammy-nominated Southern Gospel vocalist Ernie Haase attends Oakland City College. He went on to perform with the Cathedral Quartet and founded the globally celebrated gospel group Ernie Haase & Signature Sound.
ESTABLISHMENT OF GRADUATE DEGREE PROGRAMS
Oakland City College introduces its first graduate degree programs, expanding into Master of Science in Education degrees to serve regional teachers and school administrators.
TRANSITION TO OAKLAND CITY UNIVERSITY
Marking 110 years since its charter, Oakland City College officially transitions to university status, becoming Oakland City University (OCU) and launching its Doctorate of Education (Ed.D.) program.
NCCAA NATIONAL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
The Mighty Oaks men's basketball team wins the National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) Division I Championship, securing another national banner for the school.
CONSTRUCTION OF THE BOWER-SUHRHEINRICH LIBRARY
The university opens the state-of-the-art Bower-Suhrheinrich Library at the heart of the main campus. The building centralized academic archives, historical records, electronic research labs, and quiet study suites for faculty and undergraduate research.
36 Gibson County Living | Fall 2026
2005 2008 2012 2015
OCU broadens its educational footprint by establishing adult degree-completion centers across Indiana—including satellite locations in Bedford, Evansville, Indianapolis, and Rockport—making flexible evening and accelerated higher education accessible to non-traditional students.
LAUNCH OF ONLINE DEGREE OFFERINGS
Embracing modern educational technologies, OCU introduces its first suite of fully online undergraduate and graduate degree programs in business administration, education, and criminal justice, dramatically increasing access for adult and distance learners nationwide.
DEDICATION OF THE JOHNSON-CORN WELLNESS CENTER
The university opens the modern Johnson-Corn Student Life & Wellness Center, introducing an indoor walking track, fitness centers, auxiliary gymnasiums, and updated athletic training spaces for students, varsity athletes, and local community members.
CHAPEL & CAMPUS GATEWAY RENOVATIONS
The university completes major aesthetic and architectural upgrades along Lucretia Street, renovating the Provance Memorial Chapel and installing new entry plazas, walking paths, and green space landscaping connecting historical quadrangle buildings.
SCHOOL OF NURSING & HEALTHCARE EXPANSION
2020
RETURN TO NAIA & LAUNCH OF VARSITY ESPORTS
2022
To combat regional rural healthcare shortages, OCU expands its School of Nursing and Health Sciences, opening advanced patient-simulation labs, clinical training suites, and updated undergraduate healthcare degree tracks.
HIGHER LEARNING COMMISSION RE-ACCREDITATION
2026 2025
2018
EDUCATION
ADULT LEARNING CENTERS & REGIONAL EXPANSION
EXPANSION OF AQUATICS & VARSITY SWIMMING
OCU officially rejoins the NAIA River States Conference across 20 varsity sports. Concurrently, the university constructed a dedicated campus esports arena to launch its inaugural varsity competitive gaming program.
The university achieves full 10-year institutional re-accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), affirming OCU's ongoing academic quality, governance standards, and commitment to valuesbased higher education.
Mighty Oaks athletics continues program expansion by announcing the addition of varsity men's and women's swimming programs, investing in regional pool partnerships and recruiting inaugural classes of student-athletes.
DECISION TO TEMPORARILY SUSPEND UNDERGRADUATE OPERATIONS
Oakland City University officially announces the temporary suspension of all undergraduate academic programs and intercollegiate athletics for the 2026-2027 school year while graduate programs continue.
Original seal snipped from A History of Oakland City College
by
Betty
Laverne
Shirley, August 1957.
Gibson County Living | Fall 2026 37
EDUCATION
Gibson County Extension Written by Abby Heidenreich Paul Purdue Extension has been providing educational programs in Gibson County and across Indiana since 1914. The purpose of Extension is to connect information and resources from Purdue University to the local community. There are four main program areas that Extension Educators work in, including 4-H Youth Development, Health and Human Sciences, Agriculture & Natural Resources and Community Development. Each of these program areas focus on topics that are relevant to all people from youth to adults, from city to farm, and from individuals to families. There are 3 Extension Educators based in Gibson County that provide programs and education to the local community. Jessie Hope covers 4-H Youth Development; Angie Ray covers Health & Human Sciences, and Abby Paul covers Agriculture & Natural Resources. 4-H Youth Development programming includes the Gibson County 4-H Program that is the largest youth organization in Gibson County. 4-H is for all youth in grades K-12 and teaches skills like leadership, responsibility, communication, independence and more. Youth enrolled in 4-H can participate in a wide variety of fun events, trips and activities throughout the year as well as having the opportunity to showcase their skills through projects at the Gibson County Fair. 4-H Youth Development Educator Jessie Hope also offers other youth-focused events like Science Sensation — a STEM event for all 7th graders in Gibson County held at the fairgrounds each year. Health and Human Sciences programs feature topics like health & wellness, food & nutrition, human development and personal finance. HHS Educator Angie Ray provides Dining with Diabetes, a hands-on class for adults living with diabetes to learn about cooking, recipes, lifestyle changes and adaptations for a healthier lifestyle. Other programs are financial in nature, including Where Does Your Money Go? — an adult budgeting and finance awareness class, and Captain Cash — a financial program for 3rd graders in schools. Parents Forever is a family-focused class that supports co-parenting relationships and caregiving resources. Many other programs are created to meet the needs of communities. Agriculture and Natural Resources programs are not just for farmers, though many of them do provide research and information for row crop and livestock producers. ANR Educator Abby Paul also does in-school programs that teach youth about agriculture and encourages them to be aware of the agriculture that surrounds them every day — specifically Harvest of the Month and Embryology. Focuses also include home horticulture, soil health, small farms support and mental health resources for farmers and farm families. Programs locally include Farmer Winter Workshops, PARP Programs, Master Gardeners, and many more. If you are interested in learning more about any of these programs, please follow our Facebook Page — Purdue Extension Gibson County! You can also contact our office at 812-385-3491 for more information.
As Always, Locally Owned & Operated
Colvin Funeral Home 425 North Main Street Princeton, IN 47670 812-385-5221
www.colvinfuneralhome.com www.corncolvinfuneralhome.com www.corncolvinfuneralhome.com
Corn-Colvin Funeral Home
323 North Main Street Oakland City, IN 47660 812-749-4021
Funeral Directors: Directors Mark R. Walter, Richard D. Hickrod and- Jayanna John W. Macklin Wells Richard D. Hickrod - Mark R. Walter - Brandi Macer
38 Gibson County Living | Fall 2026
Thursday Programs Begin in September! Monday-Wednesday: 9am-6pm Thursday: 12pm-8pm Friday and Saturday: 9am-5pm Sunday: CLOSED 1-812-385-4464 124 S Hart St, Princeton, IN, 47670 www.princetonpl.lib.in.us
Need help with your party or shower theme? Check out our Novelty Nook! Outdoor Toys and Games Cookie Cutters Cake Pans Mixers Backdrops
Thursday evening programs geared towards adults. Join our hosts upstairs!
al History enealogy/Loc Week One - G fts akerspace Cra Week Two - M a Night - Games/Trivi Week Three g n Scrapbooki Week Four -
Makerspace Need to use a sewing machine, Cricut, or a button maker? Require a green screen for an upcoming video? Sign a Makerspace Waiver and start creating! Hours of Operation: Monday: Wednesday: Friday:
3pm-6pm 2pm-5pm 9am-12pm
Other times & days available by scheduled appointment. Call 812-385-4464 Extension 115
Gibson County Living | Fall 2026 39
Mount Olympus continued from page 15...
The top brick depicts Fort Branch High School and the second brick depicts Haubstadt High School. These portraits of schools long gone are typically painted on bricks from the buildings that no longer stand, and these bricks and others are on display at the Haubstadt Town Hall. Photos courtesy of the Haubstadt Historical Society.
www.facebook.com/HaubstadtArea HistoricalSociety
40 Gibson County Living | Fall 2026
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Mon-Fri: 8:30 AM-5 PM Saturday: 8:30 AM-12 PM www.uniquelymichaels.com
We offer year round grave decorating, too!
Gibson County Living | Fall 2026 41
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42 Gibson County Living | Fall 2026
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Where Preparation Goes Underground
EDUCATION Written by Peyton Jones, Director of Marketing & Communications
Inside the Vincennes University Gibson County Center, Indiana’s only underground mining simulation center gives workers and emergency responders a place to face danger before it becomes real.
Before daylight reaches the fields of Gibson County, someone is already getting ready for work. It may be a miner pulling on heavy boots, an industrial technician beginning another shift or a firefighter preparing to answer the next call. The work may lead underground, onto a factory floor or into an emergency where every decision matters. For those moments, preparation cannot remain inside a textbook. At the Vincennes University Gibson County Center, some of the region’s most important lessons take place beneath dim lights, inside narrow passageways built to feel like the real thing. The center opened just south of Fort Branch in 2011 as the Gibson County Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics. It was created during a period when technology was changing the skills required across Southwest Indiana’s mines, manufacturing plants and industrial workplaces. From the beginning, the goal was practical: give local workers a place to learn by doing. That mission took on a new dimension in 2017 with the opening of the center’s Confined Space Training Facility, home to Indiana’s only underground mining simulation center. Behind 11 entrances, approximately 1,300 feet of passageways stretch through the nearly 40,000-squarefoot facility. The surroundings can be filled with darkness, smoke and the uncertainty of an underground emergency. Narrow spaces and limited visibility force participants to rely on their training, their equipment and one another. Here, a miner can learn how to respond when ventilation fails or smoke begins to spread. A rescue team can practice moving through confined spaces without knowing exactly what waits around the next turn. Firefighters and emergency responders can enter conditions that feel urgent and disorienting while instructors remain able to pause the exercise, correct a mistake and run it again. That ability is what makes the facility so valuable.
Continued next page...
Gibson County Living | Fall 2026 43
EDUCATION
VU Gibson Center continued...
In an active mine or emergency, there may be little room for hesitation. At the Gibson Center, workers can encounter those pressures before lives depend on their response. They can make decisions, communicate as a team and build the instincts that are difficult to develop in an ordinary classroom. The simulated mine was built for an industry deeply connected to the history of Southwest Indiana, but its usefulness quickly reached beyond mining. Fire departments, rescue teams, utility workers, law enforcement agencies and other groups have used the facility to prepare for situations that are difficult—or too dangerous—to recreate elsewhere. Each group enters for a different reason. All leave with a better understanding of how quickly familiar surroundings can change and how much preparation matters when they do. The facility has also helped make Gibson County a destination for specialized training. Workers and emergency personnel travel from across Indiana and surrounding states to practice in a setting unavailable in most communities. Today, the Gibson County Center continues to provide mining and MSHA instruction, workplace-safety training, industrial-maintenance education and physical ability testing for aspiring firefighters. Its purpose, however, can be seen most clearly in the darkened corridors of the simulated mine. The people who train there are neighbors, coworkers and family members—people whose jobs depend on sound judgment, steady teamwork and practical experience. The simulated mine reflects the community around it: grounded in the realities of local work and built to help people prepare for situations they hope never occur.
44 Gibson County Living | Fall 2026
FINDING THE HOLY GRAIL SPORTS Blythe Fettinger’s Notebook
By Tim Nonte, former Head Baseball Coach at Princeton Community High School
It is a safe bet that many of you have ever heard of Blythe Fettinger. He worked for the Princeton Daily Democrat, Princeton Clarion-News, and Princeton Daily Clarion. He was born on September 7, 1898, in Petersburg, Indiana, and lived in Princeton from 1905 onward. Blythe passed away at the age of 63 on November 21, 1961, after being ill for more than a year-and-a-half. As mentioned, he was a reporter and sports editor for many years at the Clarion and its predecessors. He was especially well-versed in local, state, and national sports. In fact, the earliest sports article found written by him was dated to 1918. The biggest reason Blythe deserves to be remembered is, along with his tireless sports coverage, he left a notebook behind labeled P.H.S. Sports Highlights: 1895 to 1950. His notes covered the school’s football, basketball, baseball, and track teams in detail. In 1982, I was hired as a teacher and head baseball coach at Princeton Community High School. I asked Dave Robinson, the Athletic Director at the time, if he had any baseball records for our teams. He reached into a drawer and showed me a thick booklet that contained records, coaches, names of players, teams played, scores, and accomplishments of each team up to 1951 or 1952. The booklet contained information about the foundation of each of these sports in North Gibson, dating back to 1895! Dave told me he wanted the booklet back within a week, which I did after making a copy of the baseball records. I returned that booklet to Dave, and he put it into a cabinet in his office. Years later, I found myself wondering what happened to that booklet. I persistently asked each Athletic
Director if they had ever come across the notebook in their office files. Of course, no one knew anything about it. I believed that all of the tremendous history and work completed by Fettinger had been lost. Each page of Fettinger’s work had been meticulously typed, probably via an old Underwood typewriter in a cigar-filled newspaper office late at night. Around 2008, I started researching the history of basketball in North Gibson, encompassing the five schools that now make up P.C.H.S. While I was searching for old scorebooks, pictures, player names, etc., I was looking for Fettinger’s notebook. How could I not? Fettinger’s notebook was the town topper because it contained the players’ first names plus a check on my own records for team records, accomplishments, etc. I remember asking several people if they had seen the book, but to no avail. Our school was undergoing a renovation, and a new high school was being built. I resigned myself that it had simply been “lost in the shuffle.” Two years into my research project, in the summer of 2010, I was re-checking a storage room at the school for other possible scorebooks, old trophies, and this elusive notebook. Malinda Gilbert, who was helping me, found this Holy Grail of a notebook in a nearly dilapidated box marked “Athletics.” I made two copies, one for me and one for the Princeton Public Library’s Local History Department. I gave the original to Jason Engelbrecht, who was the new Athletic Director at the time, to be maintained in the Athletic Office. What a loss it would have been if it had not been found and if the box had been tossed when they moved into the new school in 2012! Gibson County Living | Fall 2026 45
FOOD
Cooking
Corner
Written by Jancey Smith One of the many things that Gibson County has to be proud of is The Log Inn, Indiana’s oldest restaurant. Originally built in 1825, President Abe Lincoln was a patron in its early years. Most recently, The Log Inn has been owned by three generations of the Elpers family. The restaurant serves friend chicken, roast beef, and sides family-style and uses recipes handed down through the family. Even though many rave about the coconut cream pie, it’s Grandma Vic’s peanut butter pie that is light, fluffy and easy to make. Many thanks to co-owner Kathy for sharing this local treasure.
LOG INN'S FLUFFY PEANUT BUTTER PIE INGREDIENTS: 3/4 cup peanut butter, smooth or crunchy 1-8 oz. cream cheese, softened 1 cup powdered sugar 1/2 cup milk 9 oz. cool whip 9-inch graham cracker crust 1/2 cup finely chopped peanuts (optional)
PREPARATION: Beat cream cheese until soft and fluffy. Add peanut butter and sugar gradually and beat well. Slowly add milk into the mixture. Fold in whipped topping to combine and pour into prepared pie crust. Sprinkle on nuts and freeze. Remove from freezer about 15 before serving. Makes 1 pie.
46 Gibson County Living | Fall 2026
Over the past 33 years, we’ve invested $5.6 million into Gibson County. And we’re just getting started. Strong communities grow because people choose to invest where they live.
cfswi.org/gibson
Gibson County Living | Fall 2026 47
GIBSON COUNTY MUSEUM OF HISTORY & CULTURE
Looking to Create & Collaborate?
Interested in Helping Publish a Magazine? Writers, Editors, Designers...?
Thursday, January 21, 2027 at 6:00 PM Saturday, January 23, 2027 at 9:00 AM Princeton Public Library meeting rooms
Interested in History? Architecture? Historical Preservation? Bringing History to Life?
Join us in a series of Open Forums on Art, History and Culture in Gibson County. These forums will provide an opportunity to share ideas on these topics and plan programming to improve access to art, history and culture in our community in 2027 and beyond. We can’t wait to see you there! Questions? Contact office@gcmhc.org
Interested in any kind of Creative Arts? Art Shows? An Art Guild in Gibson County?
OPEN FORUMS
WANT MORE INFORMATION?
Check out our website or touch base with one of our Board members! Nora Nixon, President Back Office Bookkeeping & Consulting
T. Allen Burr Historian, Princeton Public Library
Tony Wolfe, Vice President Farmer, Hazleton
Liberty Dewig Director, Gibson County Visitors & Tourism
Karen Beghtel, Treasurer First Bank
Eric Heidenreich Retired, Gibson County Visitors & Tourism
Kelly Bolhofner, Secretary Kelly B Home Team, REMAX
Carissa Falls Thomas Grave Geeks Oakland City Historical Society
John Anslinger Haubstadt Area Historical Society Heather Black Princeton
Greg Wright, Ex Officio, Gibson County Historian
GIBSONCOUNTYMUSEUM.ORG
48 Gibson County Living | Fall 2026
USED Grasshoppers Mowers in Stock!
COME SEE OUR END OF THE SEASON DEALS!
See our selection of Echo trimmers, blowers, saws & accessories!
PRINCETON LAWN & POWER CENTER, INC. 715 E Broadway, Princeton, IN 47670
812-386-6679
princetonlawnandpower.com
Located in beautiful Southwestern Indiana, Gibson County is a hidden treasure of fun and relaxing experiences that you and your family are sure to enjoy.
Azalea Path Botanical Garden and Arboretum
Lyles Station Historic School and Museum
Patoka River National Wildlife Refuge
Gibson County Courthouse
GO GIBSON info@gibsoncountyin.org
Princeton Railway Museum Visitors Center
Tri-State Speedway