Hendricks County Icon - 10.06.23

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Danville teachers start game company and prepare to launch their second new game

Ben and Bethany Bertoli, teachers and cross country and track coaches at Danville High School, have taken their love for games and turned it into a new local business called Radish Games. About six years ago, they first had the idea to make their own game, wanting to put their own spin on something they already enjoyed doing together. The idea of their first game revolved around the idea of enticing dogs to come over to you by offering treats, petting them or other various persuasions. It eventually evolved into a more complex game called Bark Magic, which introduced more playful and “magical” rules and objectives. After spending years in their free time developing the game, they finally decided they were ready to launch a Kickstarter campaign to bring the game to market. Students and friends all had the opportunity to play and it seemed to be getting good traction. While the first Kickstarter attempt fell short, the Bertoli’s made adjustments and successfully completed their second campaign, raising about $11,000. The money they raised allowed them to launch Bark Magic in February this year.

Not wasting any time, the Bertoli’s have already begun working on their next ideas. Just in time for spooky season, they are launching a new game called Head Hauntcho, which allows players to compete by haunting different rooms, collecting spirit chains, and using special powers. There is a Kickstarter campaign currently running for this game, which you can find a link to at the bottom.

The next game to look for will be a fantasy cooking show inspired by Iron Chef and The Legend of Zelda. Bethany Bertoli has used her graphic design background to create many of the characters of the games. Ben Bertoli is a professional writer who writes mostly about video games on the side. Both of them love dogs, as you may have guessed.

If you’re interested in this fresh, new business, you can visit their website radishgames.com and check out the events they will be holding right here in Hendricks County. You can also contribute to their Kickstarter campaign here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ radishgames/head-hauntcho?ref=46ea57&t oken=c96edfdb.

Ben and Bethany Bertoli of Radish Games launch their new game, Head Hauntcho. (Submitted photo)

Salute to Fighters

Deadline is October 13.

Cost is $25 and will run in the October 20th edition

Celebrate the courage of those who have battled breast cancer with an ICONic 2023 Salute to Fighters ad and photo. Go to myhcicon.com/fighterad to place your order with your honoree’s photo and a message of up to 50 words or call (317) 451-4088.

EDITOR’S NOTE

Grateful to be part of Hendricks County

At certain times, feelings can just hit you in a different way, where if you listen, you can be brought into a moment of clarity about your circumstances. You could even call it an epiphany of some kind. It’s usually a simple concept that gets lost among the busyness of life. Over time, it makes its way up to the surface of your mind and taps against your consciousness and says ‘Hey, listen to me.’”

For us here at the Icon, the simple idea we are being reminded of is gratefulness. We are so thankful for the community that has supported us over the last 18 years. From the people who submit stories, to our regular column writers, to our supporting businesses and friends, we are surrounded by incredible people. We don’t take it for granted that you pick up our publication to enjoy when it finds its way into your mailbox. We are humbled at the opportunity to share the stories of

our community members, which bond us together. We proudly support the businesses who advertise with us and have helped us grow. Our publication is truly a product of our own community. Without you, we would not exist.

We have been through thick and thin together. We’ve celebrated successes and grieved losses. When all is said and done, we have stuck together. We don’t want it to go unsaid that we love our community and we love that we are a part of it.

What about you? How has living in Hendricks County made you grateful? Have you been impacted by reading the Icon? We would love to hear stories from YOU about different ways this community has served you. Write to us and share your stories so we can all be lifted up and join in feeling gratitude together. For each and every person holding this paper, or reading this note online, we say thank you!

ICONIC brief

Visit Hendricks County hires new director of finance & administration

Visit Hendricks County (VHC) has hired a new team member to oversee the implementation of all finance functions for the organization. Nicole Lanum will serve as VHC’s new director of finance & administration. An Indiana native and graduate of Ivy Tech Community College and Western Governors University, her experience includes stints at various organizations in both corporate and capital accounting. As director of finance & administration, a new position at Visit Hendricks County, Lanum will also

serve on VHC’s leadership team working alongside other internal departments to create and implement a strategic vision and support the organizational goals. She will also assume some administrative responsibility for the organization.

Nicole Lanum (Submitted photo)

Danville Town Manager, Mark Morgan, Named Town Manager of the Year

Compiled by Peg McRoy

The Danville Town Council met Sept. 20. These meetings can be viewed on the town’s YouTube channel. The council meets at 7 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays of each month at Danville Town Hall, 49 N. Wayne St. The next scheduled meeting is Oct. 4.

WHAT HAPPENED: Council President David Winters announced that Danville Town Manager Mark Morgan was named town manager of the year by the Indiana Municipal Management Association (IMMA).

WHAT IT MEANS: The IMMA has a membership of 125 members and covers the entire state of Indiana. The announcement was made at its 2023-2024 awards banquet. Winters congratulated Morgan and said that the award is given to a town manager that exemplifies forward thinking in their community. He added that Morgan was chosen, not only for his forward thinking, but his opening the doors to Danville as a place to live, work, and do business. Winters, on behalf of the council and town, thanked him for his hard work.

WHAT HAPPENED: The council approved a letter of engagement with Bose McKinney & Evans, LLP to retain them as bond legal counsel for the town’s upcoming bond matters. In an agenda item prior to the Bose McKinney & Evans letter of engagement, it was discussed if the council would like to solicit other bond vendors. Town Treasurer Jenny Pearcy suggested that the council hold a special session the week of Sept. 25 to hear from other organizations. While the Bose McKinney & Evans letter was approved, the council did schedule a special session on Mon. Sept. 25 to hear from other organizations on being the town’s financial advisors regarding bond matters.

WHAT IT MEANS: Morgan described the bonding process as being like a three-legged stool. The three legs consist of underwriters, legal counsel, and financial advisors. Bose McKinney & Evans was approved to be the town’s legal counsel. At the special session on Sept. 25, the council heard presentations from Baker-Tilly Municipal Advisors, LLC, Bondry Consulting, and O.W. Krohn & Associates on becoming the town’s financial advisors. The vote to determine which organization would be named was tabled until the council’s regularly scheduled Oct. 4 meeting to give council members an opportunity to review the presentations. The town’s underwriters are Robert W. Baird & Co.

WHAT HAPPENED: Ben Comer, chair of the redevelopment commission, presented information regarding the establishment of an economic development area (EDA) and tax increment financing (TIF) area in the southeast portion of Danville. The council gave the commission permission to move forward on this project.

WHAT IT MEANS: This EDA/TIF area is south of U.S. Hwy 36 and located between Hendricks County Airport Gordon Graham Field and the Hendricks County Landfill. This action does two things for that area. It increases the possibility of future growth and economic development of an industrial park. It will also fund the expansion of wastewater services to the area.

WHAT HAPPENED: Two street closures around the town square were approved at the request of Beth Ann Holmes of the Downtown Danville Partnership. Streets around the square will be closed to accommodate Scares on the Square and Christmas on the Square.

WHAT IT MEANS: Marion, Jefferson, and Washington streets around the town square will be closed on Sat., Oct. 28 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. for Scares on the Square. Those same streets will be closed on Friday, Nov. 24 from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. for Christmas on the Square. Set up will be from 2 p.m. until 4 p.m. and the event will begin at 4 p.m. The Downtown Danville Partnership is sponsoring both events.

ASK THE AUDIOLOGIST

Becoming an informed patient is important for optimal outcomes with hearing technology. Below are a few items to consider as you navigate hearing healthcare.

What is the education and experience of my provider?

There are significant differences between the providers in this industry. Is there an audiologist at the clinic? Some insurances and third-party providers require an audiologist.

What are the clinic hours and provider availability?

Limited office hours can result in unnecessary downtime when hearing aid service is needed.

What hearing aid manufacturers does the clinic work with?

Some clinics are bound by contract to certain manufacturers, making the recommendations to patients very limited. Certain devices are locked making it impossible to seek guidance from a different provider later if needed. Ask about who and where the devices can be adjusted prior to purchase.

What is the cost involved for evaluations, devices, and follow-up visits?

Nothing is free. The cost of “free” assessments is hidden elsewhere. Are bundled and unbundled service plans offered for long term follow up? An unbundled service delivery model allows a patient to pay for their devices and any follow up care becomes “pay-asyou-go”. This can make the cost of getting hearing help more financially manageable. By only paying for what you need and use, unbundled plans provide transparency. Should you move out of the area, decide to winter in warmer climates, or choose to switch providers you also are not locked in with any prepaid services.

Should I switch to a Medicare Advantage Plan for the hearing aid benefits?

Consult with your insurance agent about the pros and cons of any insurance plan. There is a lot to consider in addition to hearing aid coverage. Advantage plans provide access to a list of discounted hearing aids purchased from the insurance company and a predetermined amount of follow-up care.

Should I consider Big Box Retailers?

Big box retailers are a retail option for low-cost devices. However, there are more comprehensive options for audiologic and hearing care. Big box retailers do not remove ear wax, offer CROS/BICROS options, evaluate, or treat tinnitus, evaluate, or manage cochlear implants, evaluate, or treat pediatrics and they do not provide auditory rehabilitation. Big box retailers dispense hearing aids only. They also do not have a monopoly on inexpensive hearing solutions. You can get devices in the same price range in private clinics.

Brownsburg Town Council approves second reading of 2024 budget

Compiled by Melissa Gibson

The Brownsburg Town Council met Sept. 28 for a regular meeting at the Brownsburg Town Hall. The next meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Oct. 12 at 61 N. Green St., Brownsburg.

WHAT HAPPENED: Development Services Director Jodi Dickey shared a report regarding recent UDO Committee activities.

WHAT IT MEANS: A committee consisting of Brownsburg residents, consultants, Advisory Plan Commission (APC) members, developers and other have been working to create a new Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) for the Town of Brownsburg.

Dickey said the committee believes they are ready to host a public open house (tentatively set for Nov. 6) to present and discuss the current document. In addition, information will be added to the Town of Brownsburg’s website which will include interactive maps, education on UDO’s and a step-by-step walk through of project goals.

Councilman Ben Lacey expressed his concern about the current process and feedback he has received regarding how the committee is coming to their conclusions as well as the current UDO document as it stands, suggesting that more work is still required to present a final document.

WHAT HAPPENED: Frank Monts, Water Superintendent shared the Water Department Report.

WHAT IT MEANS: Though the discussion regarding the report was uneventful, Monts asked Brownsburg High School student Owen Ellis to share with the council what he has planned as his Eagle project out of Troop 97 in Brownsburg.

Ellis is asking for volunteers to help him paint fire hydrants in three neighborhoods near Williams Park. He estimates there are 50-70 fire hydrants in need of a fresh coat and will be completing the work in the next month.

WHAT HAPPENED: A second reading and advertised public hearing was held for the 2024 Budget.

WHAT IT MEANS: During the public comment portion of the meeting, several residents spoke for and against the current budget proposal; siting the main issues as the eight percent salary increase for town employees and the nearly five percent tax increase to the public.

Brownsburg Town Manager Deb Cook said of the increase, “This is not a huge jump in tax increase. It dropped low last year and is now, leveling off. There are many reasons this can happen.”

Members of the Council discussed the salary increase and referenced the “correction” needed to bring town employees up to competitive wages. However, they did not anticipate a large increase in 2025.

The proposed 2024 budget totals $78,697,067, a decrease of more than $3.7 million from 2023. A detailed account of the proposed 2024 budget can be located on the Town of Brownsburg’s website. Council approved the second reading unanimously.

WHAT HAPPENED: The third and final reading for several ordinances and resolutions was presented for the Carr property located at 7055 E. County Rd.

North was brought before the Council.

IT

Three parcels were requested for voluntary

fiscal resolutions for each one. Each parcel of property received a unanimous vote by the Council.

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WHAT

MEANS:

annexation along with

Avon Town Council Approves Riverwalk Agreement

Compiled by Peg McRoy

The Avon Town Council met Sept. 7. Meetings can be viewed at avonindiana.gov/ livestream. The council normally meets at 7 p.m. the second and fourth Thursday of the month at the Avon Town Hall, 6570 E. U.S. 36. However, the council will meet the first and third Thursdays of the month for the balance of the year in Avon Town Hall. The next scheduled meeting is Oct. 5.

WHAT HAPPENED: The Easton Grey Project agreement to create a Riverwalk District within the Easton Grey development was approved by the council. Easton Grey is a planned 500-acre mixed-use community along White Lick Creek with the Riverwalk District serving as its central civic complex.

WHAT IT MEANS: Town Manager Ryan Cannon said that the number one item on the town’s comprehensive plan was to create a gathering place for the community and that the Riverwalk District fulfills that goal. This agreement has been through a rigorous process before coming before the council. The Redevelopment commission, economic development commission, the town’s legal counsel, and other vested entities have reviewed and approved this agreement. The district will have shopping, restaurants, office space, and possibly a government center that will be a partnership between the school system, the township, and the chamber of commerce. This agreement also includes the creation of a HOPA (housing for older people area).

WHAT HAPPENED: An agreement between Avon and Sky Elements Drone to perform a drone display of 150 drones on Sat. Nov. 11, in Town Hall Park in honor of Veterans Day. The cost is $25,000 and will be the first of its kind in Hendricks County.

WHAT IT MEANS: This action was at the request and recommendation of Shelby Pride, director of parks and recreation. The event will pay tribute to veterans, especially those with PTSD, with this low-key and quiet event. One hundred and fifty drones will fill the sky on the north side of the lake. It is anticipated that sponsorships, specifically from organizations that support veterans and veteran causes, will help defray the cost.

WHAT HAPPENED: The police department was given the go-ahead to purchase 16 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for patrol vehicles at a cost of $23,344. Monies from the department’s Duke Energy grant will cover $22,000 of the cost.

WHAT IT MEANS: The department is required to spend the entirety of the $22,000 grant. Fifteen AEDs come in at a cost of $21,885. The purchase of an additional AED fulfills the grant requirement and provides an additional AED for the department. Monies from the law enforcement supply budget line will cover the additional $1,344. David J. Morgason, deputy chief enforcement, was commended by the council for seeking grants for the department.

WHAT HAPPENED: A resolution was passed that rescinds a 10-year property tax abatement approval for Distribution Realty Group, LLC (DRG) that was originally approved on June 23, 2022.

WHAT IT MEANS: This action was taken by the council upon notification from DRG Development Group that they are abandoning their previously planned construction of a third 250,000 sq. ft. building at 10160 Bradford Rd. Two buildings have already been built for this project. It is the construction of this third building that has been scratched. This does not affect the abatement on the already constructed buildings.

By Peg McRoy

FIRE DEPARTMENTS GEAR UP FOR FIRE PREVENTION MONTH

October is fire-prevention month and Hendricks County (HC) firefighters are trained and ready to filter into their communities to bring fire-safety knowledge to the people they serve.

“We work to save lives and property,” said Brownsburg Fire Territory Battalion Chief Thad Dolzall. “Nothing has a better effect on those two things than fire-prevention.”

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has specifically targeted the week of Oct. 8-14, with an emphasis on cooking safety, as fire prevention week.

“We are going to focus on fire prevention all month long,” said Nina Powell, Brownsburg Fire Territory public education manager and public information officer. “Nationwide, statistics show that fire victims are usually young children and older adults. We will be reaching out specifically to those segments of the population.”

The fire departments in the western townships of the county, most of which are crewed by volunteer firefighters, are currently being given sizable financial boosts thanks to the HC Council and HC Commissioners.

HC had a surplus of local option income tax funds (L.O.I.T.). The council and the commission penned a resolution to provide a one-time grant to the fire departments that serve the western townships of HC.

“We wanted to figure out a way to pass these funds to the fire departments in the townships that needed it most,” said David Cox, a member of the Hendricks County Board of Commissioners. “It started with the council and the commissioners came right on board. We especially wanted to help the volunteer departments and ambulance service on that side of the County.”

One of the recipients of this grant money is the Lizton Union Township Fire Department, crewed completely with volunteer firefighters.

Nathan Miller and Cameron Chapman are certified through the Ben Davis Area 31 Career Center Fire Sciences Program. Miller is a 2023 Avon High School graduate certified in firefighting. Chapman graduated from Brownsburg High School five years ago and is certified as an EMT and firefighter. Both are volunteer firefighters at Lizton.

“ We work to save lives and property. Nothing has a better effect on those two things than fire-prevention.”

- Brownsburg Fire Territory Battalion Chief Thad Dolzall

“We have struggled financially in the past. This money we have been granted is substantial,” said Austin Miller, Nathan’s brother and also a volunteer firefighter and EMT at Lizton. “We have a couple of different plans. We have been talking about getting a new ambulance and water tanker.”

A tanker is a truck that supplies water at a fire scene. In rural areas there aren’t any fire hydrants. A supply of water needs to be trucked in to fight a fire and a tanker serves that purpose.

“We currently have a 1500-gallon tanker truck,” said Austin. “We are looking at getting a 2,000-to-3,000-gallon truck. It would make a big difference.”

Austin said in addition to the HC grant, they are now getting more money from the township.

“We just purchased extrication tools to cut up cars (in the event of an accident),” said Miller. “It was a big purchase and this money (from HC) will help us get more new equipment.”

Keeping a keen eye on national statistics that cite young children as a segment of the population most at risk, the Plainfield Fire Territory is planning to go directly into schools.

“The school programs are geared to elementary aged kids (2nd and 3rd grade) and are designed to give early education in home fire safety, including two ways out of your house, having a meeting place, crawl low in smoke, get out and stay out (of your house),” said Wade C. Stevens, fire marshal and division chief with the Plainfield Fire Territory. “We will, of course, let the kids look at the trucks, equipment, and tell them not to be afraid of firefighters in their gear.”

On the last Friday in Sept., Brownsburg firefighters gathered in their headquarters to review information and repeat interactive training on the installation of smoke alarms. They offer a free smoke alarm program in Oct., in addition to their school visits.

“Any training that we give the crews is invaluable,” said Captain Justin Butts, Brownsburg health safety officer. “Anytime there is a formal aspect to training it better serves the public.”

Every smoke alarm has specific installation guidelines and firefighters need to know how to implement those guidelines.

“It is really important that we provide training to our firefighters to make sure they have updated information for smoke alarms,” said Jeff Schlageter, Brownsburg Deputy Fire Marshal. “We look forward to going out into the community and want to make sure the people we serve have that information.”

The Brownsburg fire alarm program is geared specifically for older adults.

“Alarms can be installed free of charge as long as supplies last,” said Powell. “In some cases, a person buys a smoke alarm but can’t get on a ladder without risking injury. We don’t want anyone to fall off a ladder. We would rather assist with a smoke alarm installation than an injury.”

The townships in HC include Brown, Center, Clay, Eel River, Franklin, Guilford, Liberty, Lincoln, Marion, Middle, Union, and Washington. To get information on fire prevention programs that may be offered in HC townships check their respective websites.

Firefighters with the Brownsburg Fire Territory gathered at their headquarters for smoke alarm installation training in preparation for fire prevention month. (Photo by Peg McRoy)

Grants awarded to eastern township fire and E.M.S departments

The Hendricks County Commissioner and the Hendricks County Council granted the following amounts to fire and E.M.S departments located in the eastern townships of the county. These are generally undesignated funds that can be used for various budget line items such as public safety equipment, programs, salaries, and benefits. Union

Fire Prevention Week: Cooking Safety Starts with YOU!*

Fire prevention week is Oct. 8-14. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has established “Cooking Safety Starts with YOU” as this year’s theme. The goal is to educate the public on the importance of practicing simple but important steps in keeping themselves and those around them safe while cooking. NFPA states that 49% of all home fires are centered around cooking and it is the leading cause of home fire injuries. The leading cause of cooking fires and related deaths can be attributed to unattended cooking.

Cooking tips:

• Keep a kid-free zone that is at least three feet around the stove and areas where hot food or drink is prepared.

• Be alert. Don’t cook when sleepy or under the influence.

• Do not leave items cooking on the stove top unattended.

• When simmering, baking, or roasting do not leave the home and set a timer.

• Keep anything that can catch fire away from the stovetop.

• To put out a small grease fire smother the flame by sliding a lid over it and turning off the burner.

• To put out an oven fire keep the oven door closed and turn off the heat.

• If you are not sure what to do just get out, close the door behind you, and call 911 from outside the house.

Tox-Away Day

Hendricks County households are encouraged to use ToxAway Days to recycle and dispose of household hazardous wastes, tires, electronics, and appliances.

t h r o w n a w a y P l e a s e d o n ' t b r i n g i t t o T o x - A w a y D a y

- M u s t b e i n r i g i d , p u n c t u r e -

r e s i s t a n t c o n t a i n e r E l e c t r o n i c s

- C o m p u t e r s / L a p t o p s : F r e e

- C e l l P h o n e s / T a b l e t s : F r e e

- M o n i t o r s / K e y b o a r d s / M i c e : F r e e

- P r i n t e r s / S c a n n e

Regulations prohibit waste from businesses, churches, or other organizations from being accepted at Tox-Away Days. Payments must be made with cash or check.

No document shredding will be available. No heavy trash will be accepted.

Firefighters with the Brownsburg Fire Territory gathered at their headquarters for smoke alarm installation training in preparation for fire prevention month. (Photo by Peg McRoy)

community

ICONIC arts

Plein Air—Artists Paint the Town again!

By Peg McRoy

Gallery on the Square’s sixth annual Plein Air—Artists Paint the Town Festival culminated on the evening of Sept. 21 when the People’s Choice Awards were announced at the Gallery. The cumulative award money for the People’s Choice Awards totaled $500.

The festival began on the morning of Sat. Aug. 12 when over 40 artists came to Danville from hometowns across central Indiana. These artists were given a blank canvas at the Gallery for their use in painting a Hendricks County scene outdoors on that day.

Plein Air is a French term that simply means “in the open air” and is the act of painting outdoors. These artists scrambled to various places around the county in search of their inspirational site. They then returned with a painting in hand to the Gallery for a late-afternoon judging session.

Judges Michael Arnold and Sue Gillock determined the winners in the categories of professional, non-professional, teen, and youth. Seventeen artists were awarded $2,500 in prize money.

Arnold is a graduate of Danville High School and Indiana University. He is a U.S. Navy veteran and retired as an Allied Member of the American Society of Interior Design. He was listed among the Who’s Who in Interior Design in 1991.

Gillock is a graduate of Franklin College and the Herron School of Art Education. She also holds a Gifted and Talented endorsement from Purdue University. She retired after 40 years teaching in the classroom.

The second phase of judging followed with voting by the public for the people’s choice awards. Any visitor to the Gallery on the Square could view 30 paintings within the gallery that were completed the

day of the plein air event. Voting for the People’s Choice Awards closed on Sept. 20.

The first-place winners for the plein air event on Aug. 12 include Brad Fields for professional and Pam Anter nonprofessional. The teen winner is Renea Walmoth and youth Malachi Catt.

The people’s choice first place winners are Lynne Dunnavant for professional and Pam Anter nonprofessional. Kriston Titus was voted top teen and Malachi Catt first-place youth.

Also on the night the People’s Choice Awards were announced, Tri Kappa (a state philanthropic organization) presented a special tribute award to Brad Fields for his painting of Twin Bridges, a favorite Hendricks County location and painting site.

The special tribute award was given in honor of Gallery on the Square charter member and watercolorist Marti McCoy, who recently passed away. She was a 60-year member of Tri Kappa.

Gallery on the Square’s plein air event is sponsored in cooperation with the Danville Downtown Partnership. Award monies are given thanks to local business, organizational, and individual donations. To get more information on the Gallery’s plein air event go to indianaartgallery.com/plein-airevent.

Gallery on the Square is located on the east side of Danville’s historical square, 51 S. Washington St. The Gallery is a co-op art gallery featuring the works of 18-24 artists in various mediums. Art classes are also offered.

Brad Field’s watercolor of Twin Bridges won Tri Kappa’s special tribute award at the People’s Choice Awards on Sept. 21 and first-place at this year’s Plein Air event on Aug. 12.

(Photo by Susan Reece)

The People’s Choice four winners are clockwise: Kristin Titus for the teen category, Lynn Dunnavant for professional, Pam Anter for non-professional, and Malachi Catt youth. These awards were given at the Gallery on Sept. 21. (Photo by Susan Reece)

The Hendricks County Retired Teacher’s Association kicked off its first meeting

By Katherine Ward

The Hendricks County Retired Teacher’s Association kicked off its first meeting of the new school year on Monday, September 11 at the Hendrick’s County Fairgrounds. The meeting began with the introduction of three newly retired teachers in attendance; Mindy Ragan, Cal Biddle, and Kathryn Roe, followed by a meat loaf dinner provided by Mayberry Café.

Following lunch, Nikki Scott, the founder of a 503C Charity foundation called Bentleys Buddies, and her dog, Timmy, shared how dogs are making a huge difference in children who struggle with reading skills. Nikki shared how they take certified Reading Buddies (dogs) into schools for students to read to them. A Reading Buddy creates a fun and relaxing learning environment for the students. A certified Reading Buddy provides a non-threatening, non-judgmental, calm environment for the child to read. A child will often read more freely to a Reading Buddy than to a human. A Reading Buddy will not tell them they are wrong if they make a mistake. The Reading Buddy may lay right next to the reader or gently place his paw on the reader’s lap as if to say “Great Job!”. The Reading Buddies and their owners become part of the classroom. The children look forward to reading to their special friends and always try their best when reading to them. Many

parents testify to the fact that their child’s reading confidence and ability soar after their child spends time reading to their Reading Buddy.

Following general committee reports, several teachers reported on the following various opportunities available to retired teachers: 1. Wayne Township HOSTS program; Helping One Student to Succeed. Call Wayne Township Superintendent’s office for more information. 2. For $17, sponsor a wreath for a deceased veteran’s grave at Christmas. Visit www.DAR.org for more information. 3. Collect tabs from aluminum cans which benefit the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital. Bring the tabs to the Hendrick’s County Fairgrounds for the next meeting, November 13.

The Indiana Retired Teachers Association Foundation has grants of up to $500 available to current Pre-K-12 Classroom teachers. The grants can used for classroom resources, leadership, research, or materials for special classroom projects. The deadline to submit an applications is September 30. Visit retiredteachers.org or call 888-454-9333 for more information.

Following a raffle ticket drawing for 5 mums, President Shelley Sparks-Munson, adjourned the meeting. The next meeting will be Monday, November 13th.

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Newly Retired teachers - Mindy Ragan, Cal Biddle, and Kathryn Roe. (Submitted photo)

ICONIC brief

Avon High School named National Blue Ribbon School

Avon High School (AHS) has earned the distinction of being named a National Blue Ribbon School for 2023 by the U.S. Department of Education. This recognition is based on the school’s overall academic performance. AHS is one of 353 schools in the nation to be recognized this year and one of only eight public schools in Indiana – and the only public high school –to earn the honor. This is a rare honor for a public high school; on average, only 15% of public schools awarded are high schools. “I could not be prouder of the team we have built, the students who make our school such a special place, and the work we have been doing together at AHS,” says Principal Matt Shockley. “Our staff sets and meets high expectations in creating an environment in which all students know they’re safe, welcomed, and cared for. This helps students succeed not only in the classroom, but artistically, athletically, socially, and more.” AHS will soon receive a National Blue Ribbon School flag, which will hang in a prominent location to serve as a reminder to all who see it of this achievement and honor. AHS is the second ACSC school to earn this distinction. Maple Elementary School is a 2017 National Blue Ribbon School.

Bethesda Christian soccer team wins Crusader Invitational

On Saturday, Sept. 16 the Bethesda Christian Patriots Junior High soccer team won the Crusader Invitational at Suburban Christian School. They bested Mooresville Christian Academy 2-1 and Colonial Christian School 3-0 before defeating the hosts, Suburban, 4-1. The team is currently 16-2 on the season.

Out and About in Hendricks County

Beasley’s Orchard An “A-MAZE-ING” Experience

By Todd Travis

This week we took the family out to Beasley’s Orchard for some fall fun. We ended up on an unforgettable adventure and left with smiles plastered on our faces. To start things off, we headed up to the registration area to buy tickets. For the price of admission, we were able to enjoy 5 shots each at the apple cannons, entrance to the barnyard bonanza, a hayride trip to the pumpkin patch, and entrance into the corn maze. The excitement began at the apple cannons, which ended up being most fun for me and my wife, since my kids were just a bit small to appreciate the power of those cannons. I had a few bullseyes, but plenty of far misses as well. The Bigfoot target that was near the back of the range stood unflinchingly despite my best attempts to cover it with applesauce. Next, we moved on to the corn maze.

Disclaimer: I grew up in Florida, so this was probably my second corn maze adventure ever. We took a picture of the farm animal clues, which helped us navigate our way through the maze, and excitedly headed into the tall corn stalks. The first checkpoint was straight ahead and my 3-year-old was able to easily answer the first clue. We’re having fun! The second checkpoint was only

a few more steps down the way, and my daughter nailed that clue as well. This is going to be easy! Oops! The third checkpoint was not as close, and the fourth checkpoint led us in a big loop that brought us back to the same spot. Now I’m sweating. A light rain begins to fall, but our kids were safely in the covered wagon we brought, and we thought ahead and brought an umbrellagood job mom and dad! Now how do we get out of this place?

Several circles and dead-ends later, we exited the corn maze as if we had been saved after living on a deserted island for months. Toward the end, I discovered a secret that helped us find our way out just a little quicker, but I’ll leave that for you to find out on your own. We also went through the maze map-less, which was due to my lack of reading fully through directions at the start. But what a blast! Our adventure ended with a stop at the Cider Bar, where we enjoyed an apple cider slushie with a shot of caramel. Yum! We didn’t make the hayride or the pumpkin patch, but I’m sure we’ll be back for more soon. See you there! www.beasleys-orchard.com

Coasting into

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Notables

Compiled by Mike Beas

The Brownsburg boys soccer team finished its match against Westfield in a 3-3 tie with Bulldogs’ goals being scored by Grant Porath, Micah Eldridge and Gavin Wagers. The team followed it with a 3-0 victory over county rival Plainfield with Porath tallying a pair of goals and Wagers the other. Porath and Weston Bradley had assists, with sophomore Will Orlando in goal. Quakers’ soph Eli Sloan made eight saves at the other end of the pitch with teammate Anthony Blissmer attempting three shots on goal.

Avon boys soccer upped its season mark to 7-4-3 with a 2-1 decision over McCutcheon on goals from seniors Richard Maduka and Sevin Stone Providing assists in both cases was senior Ricardo Ayala Mijango. In goal for the Orioles was senior Alessandro Gonzales. Danville improved to 8-41 with a 2-1 defeat of Frankfort, as Eli Tricker provided both goals, and soph goalkeeper Kyle VanDeVanter made four saves.

Cascade volleyball won in four sets at Decatur Central to improve to 14-7, an effort led by the 14 kills of senior Lexi Mayes, 10 from junior Lilly Hall and nine from Hailey Dunn Avery Littrell and Grace Gray led the defensive effort with 27 and 16 digs, respectively, with Dunn also adding three service aces. Gray also finished the match with 21 assists, and senior Mary VanNess 15.

The Cadets’ 49-39 victory in football at North Putnam was led by sophomore Toby Savini rushing for 182 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Savini finished with a jaw-dropping 330 all-purpose yards when adding his receiving and kickoff return numbers to the mix. Senior linebacker Brayden Cartmel paced the defense with 17 tackles.

Hendricks County ICONIC Athlete DOING HIS PARTS

By Mike Beas

Senior contributing in many ways to Cascade’s football success

Through the first six weeks of high school football, Cascade had implemented a total of 11 different ball carriers.

Only one had accumulated more rushing yardage than Damien Appleby.

However, in terms of overall importance to his team, Appleby, a 5-11, 175-pound senior, might rank even higher.

Appleby, who rushed for 372 yards and seven touchdowns in the Cadets’ 4-2 start, is a factor on defense as a starting linebacker. Furthermore, as of the team’s 49-39 win at North Putnam on September 22, Appleby is also a force on special teams.

Contrary to popular belief, teammates don’t need to point out directions to the Cascade sideline.

Appleby is rarely there anyway.

“Damien’s biggest weapon for us is his blocking ability,” said fourth-year Cadets coach Connor Simmons. “It’s rare to find a player who is willing to put his pride aside like that. But Damien has always been that way. Always a team-first guy. A selfless kid.”

Sophomore Toby Savini leads Cascade’s ground attack with 646 rushing yards – including a jaw-dropping 13.2-yard average per carry – and nine TDs. Last season, Appleby’s blocks played a role in since-graduated back Liam Farmer busting loose for 1,900 yards and 28 scores in the program’s 6-5 finish.

When not helping open up running avenues, Appleby did get his own number called on 107 occasions, rushing for 567 yards.

Appleby did a Q&A with ICON:

Q: Like most small-school football players, you play both offense and defense. Do you like being on the field most of the game?

A: Yeah, I love it. I play a lot of special teams, too, so I don’t get a lot of breaks. I’m definitely an offensive player first. I love running the ball. I’ve been running the ball since I was little, and in high school, this is the first time I’ve played linebacker.

Q: Do you play any other sports at Cascade?

A: I played basketball for two years, took a break last year, but might play again this season. And I ran track last year, running the 4x400 relay and the open 400.

Q: What are your plans after graduating from Cascade High School?

A: I’ve been looking into electrician work, but I haven’t really decided yet. My uncle, Tom Appleby, who is the line coach at Cascade, he’s an electrician.

Q: As one of four team captains (along with senior lineman Fox Edwards, junior defensive end Duncan White and sophomore quarterback Brady Trebley),

what are the leadership elements you attempt to bring to the football program?

A: I try to bring team camaraderie and keeping it serious when it needs to be serious on the field. I don’t prefer to do it, but when it needs to be done, I’ll be willing to yell.

By Mike Beas

HENDRICKS REGIONAL HEALTH

CELEBRATES THE UNSTOPPABLE SPIRIT OF TOMORROW’S LEADERS

A feature in the Hendricks County ICON highlighting leaders of tomorrow.

STRAIGHT SHOOTER

Plainfield senior among the country’s premier archers

Being referred to as a straight shooter is never a bad thing, especially if you’re Danica Wiseman.

A senior at Plainfield High School, Wiseman knows her way around a bow and arrow having put in the work required to become one of the nation’s top archers, particularly for her age.

So established is Wiseman that she earned the right to take part in the United States Olympic Trials in Malvern, Pennsylvania, some 30 miles northwest of Philadelphia, from August 30 through September 3.

And though Wiseman won’t be representing the red, white and blue once the 2024 Olympic Games commence in Paris, France, on July 26, 2024, the experience proved invaluable.

“I shot a personal-best for myself, but I did not end up making the cut,” said Wiseman, 17. “It was a great experience. I was able to meet a lot of people, and I like meeting people.”

This wasn’t always the case.

Prior to first becoming interested in archery through 4-H as a 12-year-old, Wiseman leaned more in the direction of being introverted. The more success she began having attempting to direct arrows toward bullseyes from a variety of distances, the more Wiseman’s personality evolved.

Her first archery competition took place a couple weeks before turning 14.

“She came home one day, and said she was going to shoot archery,” said Danica’s mother, Lisa Wiseman. “I think I said, ‘We’re not archers. What are you talking about?’

“Confidence is definitely one way it’s helped her grow. And I would say she’s become more social. It’s empowering because she has total control over how she performs. Her work shows her outcome.”

The youngest of Aaron and Lisa Wiseman’s four children has elevated her skillset to where she is part of various organizations pertaining to archery – one being the Pine Hill Prodigies, a club based in Danville.

Wiseman is presently immersed in her so-called off-season, which began in August and runs through December. This involves going to the gym every day in order to maintain strength and overall cardiovascular fitness.

From January to July, Wiseman’s hectic schedule as a seasoned archer sometimes includes competing twice in the same weekend.

“You really have to focus and practice,” said Wiseman. “I’ll get up about 5 in the morning and practice before school at Pine Hill Archery Club in Danville. Or, if it’s after school, I go to the Outdoorsman Sports Shop in Greenwood.”

Wiseman, who holds a weighted grade-point average of 4.0 at Plainfield High School, has been offered by 18 colleges or universities to be part of their archery program. She’s narrowed the list to “four or five.”

Whatever school she attends, Wiseman looks to major in biology and minor in Spanish.

Looking ahead, Wiseman plans to be part of the 2028 U.S. Olympic Trials as a 21-year old (the Summer Games are in Los Angeles), the 2032 trials as a 25-year old (Brisbane, Australia), and perhaps beyond.

“Archery is a lifetime sport,” she said. “It’s extremely difficult, about 70-percent mental and 30-percent physical. You can have all the physical strength, but if you don’t have a good mental state, you’re not going to win.”

PETER UMUKORO, MD

Wiseman took part in the United States Olympic Trials for archery. (Submitted photo)

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Support is vital

By LaDonna Wattley, Medical Oncology Social Worker at IU Health West

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, devoted to increasing awareness. Breast cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related death for women in the United States. There are several forms of breast cancer, and symptoms vary greatly. While it does occur in males, most newly diagnosed patients are female with a close biological relative who has also battled cancer.

Diagnosis and treatment may take a toll.

Though it is imperative to focus on the physical manifestations of cancer, a patient’s mental and emotional health are equally important. Receiving a breast cancer diagnosis can be incredibly upsetting, and you may not know where to turn for support. This distress may continue from the time of initial diagnosis throughout treatment, which can be a lengthy process. Consequently, patients discover that their relationships, energy levels and overall mental well-being are negatively impacted. These factors can lead to chronic stress, anxiety and depression. You should seek help if you experience sleep disturbances, changes in overall mood, lack of joy or interest in activities you usually enjoy, changes in appetite that result in weight gain or loss, difficulty concentrating or using alcohol or drugs to reduce stress. Taking care of your mental wellbeing after diagnosis and during treatment can improve your quality of life and help you get through the difficult road ahead.

Returning to “normal” can be difficult.

Cancer treatment can be stressful, but life after cancer is often tough to manage as well. Post-treatment, many patients struggle to resume pre-cancer life and activities. Ongoing fatigue, fear of recurrence, relationship changes, and uncertainty about the future make it challenging to return to life as usual. These struggles are normal and those dealing with them are not alone. Don’t expect everything to be as it was before diagnosis. Patients should give themselves time to adjust.

There are options for support.

Though breast cancer can be a frightening experience, you do not have to face it alone. There are oncology social workers on staff at most hospitals and cancer treatment facilities. These professionals provide emotional support, resources, and mental health counseling to cancer patients and their caregivers. Additionally, support groups are an emotional lifeline for many breast cancer patients. Though everyone’s journey is unique, connecting with others going through a similar experience can ease feelings of isolation and fear.

IU Health West offers free support groups for cancer patients and caregivers. For more information, contact LaDonna Wattley, licensed clinical social worker, at 317.966.6739 or lwattley@iuhealth.org.

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Embark on a holistic journey to a happier healthier

Experience Fall Bounty in Hendricks County

By: Todd Travis

When it comes to experiencing everything fall has to offer, what better place to be than Hendricks County? Unlike those city-dwellers, we have the advantage of having the beautiful, open country right in our backyards. The changing of the leaves signifies the entrance of this new season, along with the abundance of activities that come with it. You don’t have to go far to enjoy the magic of fall- start by putting on a light jacket and taking an evening walk around your neighborhood. Listen to the sounds of crackling leaves under your feet, and feel the refreshment of

EVENTScalendar

OCTOBER

6–31

Daily

Scarecrow Display

Courthouse Square, Danville. $10 per entry. This unique, annual event is a great way to enjoy Indiana in the Fall. Come stroll around the courthouse square and see how the creative folks from Danville and the surrounding areas have outdone themselves creating dramatic scarecrow displays. The Scarecrows disappear before Halloween so don’t wait too long. Discoverdowntowndanville.org

6–8 Friday–Sunday

Volktoberfest

Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds, 1900 E. Main St., Danville.Volktoberfest is a charity driven free German Festival for car lovers and campers alike. The car show with be held Saturday, with camping all weekend! facebook.com/CCVWVolktoberfest/

6 Friday

Brownsburg Movies in the Park

6 p.m., Arbuckle Acres Park, 200 N. Green St., Brownsburg. How do you celebrate the end of the summer? We celebrate by dressing up and assembling all of our Avengers for

the light fall breeze blowing through your hair. Sit on your porch and enjoy some hot apple cider as you watch the falling leaves dance around. If you want to elevate your experience, you can also visit one of the beautiful parks in the county, check out a pumpkin patch, pick some apples at an orchard, or attend a fall festival. Or there’s always the classic past-time of diving into a big pile of leaves- just be careful! If you need some more ideas, check out our calendar for a variety of events happening this month. Have we convinced you yet? Go ahead and take advantage of the best of fall!

a superhero costume contest and viewing of Marvel’s Avengers! Dress for the alien invasion.

brownsburg.org/561/Movies-in-the-Park

7 Saturday Fall Harvest Festival

10 a.m. - 2 p.m., W.S. Gibbs Memorial Park, 4521 Gibbs Road, Avon. Celebrate the fall harvest season with food, friends, games and fun - complete with scarecrows and a chili cook-off - during this inaugural festival. Enjoy free chili and decide which is the winning recipe! Vote on your favorite scarecrow with canned goods! Try your hand at harvest-themed games and other activities! hendrickscountyparks.org/ programs/fall-harvest-festival/

Hendricks County International Festival

11 a.m. - 3 p.m., The Shops at Perry Crossing, 2499 Perry Crossing Way, Plainfield. Come enjoy this free, family-friendly, educational event. Expect to see food trucks, live dance and music performances, interactive booths, traditional attire and more from these countries: India, Pakistan, West Africa, Poland, Russia, Mexico, Japan, Kosovo, and Scotland! Hcinternationalfestival.com

Keeping It Creepy 2023

5 - 9 p.m., Ellis Park, 600 E. Main St., Danville. The Middle Aged and Creeped

Out Podcast presents Keeping It Creepy 2023! Hear on all things creepy from MAACO and guests. All ages welcome. $15. eventbrite.com/e/keeping-it-creepy-2023tickets-519231584647

7–21

Daily

Nehemiah Fall Harvest Days

6 - 9 p.m., Nehemiah Ranch, 1420 N. County Road 600 E., Avon. Fall Harvest Days Festival. Hayrides, pumpkin patch, firepit, food/ hot chocolate, smores, and live music. Family friendly event for people of all ages. $5 suggested donation per person. nehemiahranch.org/

7 Saturday

Pittsboro Parks Department Movie Night

7 - 11 p.m., Scamahorn Park, 130 E. Main St., Pittsboro. Join the Pittsboro Parks Department for one our of movie nights during the course of the summer. Each evening features a great family movie under the Indiana summer sky. facebook.com/ pittsboroindianaparksandrecreation/

8 Sunday

Schakolad Chocolate Experience

12 p.m., The Shops at Perry Crossing, 2499 Perry Crossing Way, Plainfield. Call to schedule a chocolate experience at our Schakolad Chocolate Factory! Taste varieties of chocolate, mold your own lollies, tour the production area, try the gelato, and maybe even make a cake pop if you choose. facebook.com/ShopPerryCrossing

Annual Homecoming for Mill Creek Cemetery Association

12:30 p.m. pitch-in dinner, 1:30 p.m. musical entertainment, 1845 S. County Road 250 W., Danville. The Mill Creek Friends Meeting is the oldest church in Hendricks County and one of the oldest in Indiana. The church and cemetery were established in 1830. The church discontinued services in 1946 and at that time a Cemetery Association was formed for the maintenance and care of the church building and cemetery. The homecoming was started for friends to gather and to fundraise for the upkeep of the cemetery and building. Donations: Mill Creek Cemetery Association c/o Linda Bryant, 3353 Nottinghill Dr E, Plainfield.

11

Wednesday

Meet the Candidate Forum

5:30 - 9 p.m., Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds, 1900 E. Main St., Danville. Hendricks County Community Foundation is partnering with the Hendricks County Democrats, Hendricks County GOP, and The Republican Newspaper for a forum where you can meet the candidates for the contested November elections and learn about why they’re running for office. The event will be broken up into four parts, one for each of the four contested elections in 2023: Amo, Avon, Brownsburg and Coatesville. surveymonkey.com/r/ HC23MeetTheCandidates

12

Thursday Stuffie Sleepover

4-5 p.m., Avon-Washington Township Public Library, 498 N. Avon Ave., Avon. Bring your stuffie friend for a sleepover at the library! On Friday morning at 10 a.m., come pick up your stuffie and enjoy a light snack - and take home a photo album of your stuffie’s library sleepover! avonlibrary.net

The Smiley Morning Pumpkin Drop

6 - 10 a.m., The Shops at Perry Crossing, 2499 Perry Crossing Way, Plainfield. Come early to catch all the entertainment before the annual giant pumpkin drop hosted by the Smiley Morning Show during their live broadcast. There will be bounce houses, balloon twisting, entertainment, and treats! facebook.com/ShopPerryCrossing

Motown Forever

7 - 9 p.m., Royal Theater, 59 S. Washington, Danville. Take a walk down memory lane as you hear the story of Motown and how it forever shaped American music. Experience the community coming together to tell the Motown story and sharing the spirit of Motown. With special guests Local Vocals, a community choir. fredericandronza.com/tickets

14 Saturday

Calvary Craft Fair

9 a.m. - 3 p.m.,Calvary United Methodist Church, 575 W. Northfield Dr., Brownsburg. Admission is free. There will be 80 booths, a bake sale with handmade goodies, cafe and drinks, bounce house for kids under

NIGHT & DAY

12, local nonprofits and an hourly drawing starting at 10 a.m. calvaryunited.org

14 Saturday

Championship Saturday

Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, 10267 E. U.S. Highway 136, Brownsburg. Capping off a busy oval season, Howard Companies Championship Saturday will feature three unique season - finales for USAC Silver Crown National Championship, National Pavement Midget Championship, and Sprint Cars - all in one day! raceirp.com/ championship-saturday/

Foraging 101

2 - 3 p.m., Pecar Park, 5203 E. 150 N., Avon. $4 per child and adult. Join the park naturalist and learn foraging techniques with special guest, Kyleigh Jackson. Program includes hiking at Pock Woods, weather permitting. Age Limit: 12+. wtp.recdesk.com

14–15 Saturday - Sunday

Beasley’s Dog Daze at the Maze

9 a.. - 6 p.m. Saturday, 12 - 6 p.m. Sunday, Beasley’s Orchard, 2304 E. Main St. Danville. The mission of Dog Daze at the Maze is to raise money and gain awareness for local rescue groups as well as to offer a day of fun for pet seekers, pet owners, and their pets alike. Beasley’s encourages pet owners to bring their pets along for a final adventure through the 8-acre corn maze. Beasleysorchard.com

18 Wednesday

Live Action Angry Birds

2-3 p.m., Avon-Washington Township Public Library, 498 N. Avon Ave., Avon. Try your hand at a live action Angry Birds game! Destroy towers and knock down the pigs! For grades 5-12. Avonlibrary.net

20 Friday

Tales with Tails

2-2:30 p.m., Avon-Washington Township Public Library, 498 N. Avon Ave., Avon. Join Miss Jenny for stories and fun facts about owls! She will also have fun-filled owl-themed activities. For preschool ages. Avonlibrary.net

20–22 Friday - Sunday

2023 Fall Indianapolis Gem, Mineral and Jewelry Show

10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds, 1900 E. Main St., Daville. Price: ages 18 and older: $7; ages 11-17: $2; Ages 10 and under: free. Annual Show Bringing the finest Gems, Minerals, Jewelry, Beads, Fossils and Meteorites from around the world! americangemshow.com/

20–22

Friday - Sunday

NHRA Fall Classic National Open

8 a.m. - 6 p.m., Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, 10267 E. U.S. Highway 136, Brownsburg. The 32nd annual NHRA North Central Division 3 Fall Classic returns to Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park in 2023.

20–28

Halloweekend

9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Saturday, 12 - 6 p.m. Sunday, Beasley’s Orchard, 2304 E. Main St., Danville. Enjoy the last weekend of the corn maze in spooktacular fashion with Halloweenthemed farm ag-tivities! Don’t forget to dress in your spookiest costume for the costume contest! Beasleys-orchard.com

Better grammar, better love life

By Curtis Honeycutt

It’s true — people with better spelling and grammar get more dates.

I regularly receive emails from readers asking me about the death of spelling and grammar, especially concerning the rise of generative AI. They fear writing skills are on the endangered species list as our lives become increasingly dependent on technology.

Never fear because you need good grammar and spelling to procreate (or at least get a date). But is this true across the board? Not so fast.

In a 2022 ProWritingAid study of over 12,000 online daters from the US and the UK, 63% of women surveyed and 53% of men said good grammar was important to them for “swiping right” (finding someone attractive in Tinder-speak). However, what people said and what they actually did are two different stories.

Let’s start with women. Among women aged 18–34, 58% reported good grammar was important in a dating profile. In reality,

this group was 311% more likely to find another dater attractive if the person’s profile showed excellent language skills. For women 35 and better, 65% said good grammar is important, and they were 39% more likely to pick a profile with better grammar.

Now for the dudes. And, it hurts me to say it, but the news isn’t good. Among men in the 18–34 age range, half reported good grammar was important in an online dating profile, but, in reality, they were 11% less likely to select a profile with a superb grasp of the English language. In the 35+ age group, 55% of men claimed good grammar was important, but they were 10% less likely to find a dater with good grammar attractive.

What are the lessons here? Have a wellwritten dating profile if you want to date a smart woman. However, if you want to be found attractive by a male doofus, dictate your profile to a first-grader.

I have some issues with this.

While I didn’t find my wife through online dating (we met the old-fashioned way), this

study makes me question men’s motives for engaging in online dating. Moreover, if you want a long-lasting relationship, I think you should swing for the fences. This is where AI or a human Cyrano de Bergerac can actually help!

Daters can use a service like Fiverr to have someone write an online dating profile for you. Or, if you want to go the AI route, you could use ChatGPT to generate a (mostly) error-free profile. The free version of Grammarly can check your profile for spelling and grammar errors.

If you’re dating for love, have better grammar. Good spelling is sexy. Take it from me, your newspaper grammar guru and armchair love expert.

Curtis Honeycutt is a wildly popular syndicated humor columnist. He is the author of Good Grammar is the Life of the Party: Tips for a Wildly Successful Life . Find more at curtishoneycutt.com

Clown show

RAAYS RECYCLING

By Dick Wolfsie

This ad was on line the other day. I am not making this up.

“As a clown, you help people celebrate special occasions, making sure everyone has a laugh. Your work is a business, and like any business, there are things that can go wrong. To protect yourself from professional risks, please let us help you with a clown liability policy. ”

Word was that this warning saddened many clowns. But it was hard to tell because many clowns already have sad painted on their faces. When I was voted class clown in my senior year of high school, nothing went wrong. I certainly never hurt anyone, and I can assure you that no one died of laughter.

Clowns International, an organization dedicated to the clown profession, is recommending to all their clown members that they sign up for what has now been coined Pie Insurance. While no one has ever sued a clown for getting hit by a pie, it’s just a matter of time before some nut case who is allergic to pecans slaps a clown with a tort. Or is that a tart.

I have mentioned in this column before that the great Soupy Sales and I were friends. He hit me in the face with a pie about six times. By Soupy’s estimation he hurled about 7,000 pies in his lifetime. No arrests, no lawsuits, just 350 unpaid parking tickets in front of bakeries.

If a clown did get sued, what’s the most a judge would throw at him? Another pie? How about community service? I’m sorry, community service for a clown is not punishment. That’s what they do. They make people in the community laugh.

“Bozo, you have been found guilty of throwing a high cholesterol projectile.

“Magic

I sentence you to three months of not making people laugh. And wipe that smile off your face.”

“Okay, Your Honor, but I need some tissues and cold cream.”

Several years ago, a good friend got me interested in clowning. I took a few classes and acquired a complete wardrobe and instructions on how to prepare for my first few appearances. My wife and I had a total role reversal. One night before my personal appearance at a charity event she came into the bathroom and said…

“Dick, you are going to be late.”

“Don’t rush me, Mary Ellen. You know how long it takes me to put on makeup. Do you think I just wake up every morning looking funny…Don’t answer that.

“You were late for your last event, as well.”

“I forgot to allow extra time for walking in clown feet.”

Now, suppose I was sued for doing some harm as a clown. I can hear the judge now…

“Mr. Wolfsie, this is a serious offense. And as an officer of the court, I forbid you from squirting any more water in my face. The jury doesn’t like it either. And you missed juror number six.”

For you aspiring lawyers, there is a great deal of potential work out there. You might not think so, but watch a little cable news and you’ll see just how many clowns you could represent.

—Carol Moseley Braun

Dick Wolfsie lives in Indianapolis with his wife of 43 years. Dick is usually in the basement trying to think up something funny to write. He can be reached at: wolfsie@aol.com.

HISTORY finds

Icebox or Refrigerator?

By Martha Carter

Recently I saw an early 20th century advertisement for a refrigerator, though the item pictured was, I thought, not a refrigerator but an icebox. Taking a closer look at the icebox in the museum (which has had its doors removed for display), I discovered the little plaque on the front identifies it as a “Leonard Frost Cold Refrigerator”.

The Leonard Refrigerator had its beginnings as a result of a domestic crisis in the Leonard home. A pail of fresh lard was set in the refrigerator and forgotten until it was discovered that the lard had melted the ice, spilled, and cooled, covering the inside of the box and everything in it with lard.

That experience inspired Charles Leonard to invent an ice box with removable easy to clean liners and flues. The Leonard Cleanable Refrigerator was first manufactured in 1881 in Grand Rapids. Continued improvements were made through the years, including airtight carved oak cabinets with brass fixtures and mirrors, and eventually porcelain exteriors. By the 1920’s electric refrigerators were available, and by 1925 Leonard had one-fifth of the market, producing 1,000 refrigerators a day. Leonard merged with Kelvinator in 1926, but the Leonard brand continued into the 1950’s.

So, was it a refrigerator or an icebox? A refrigerator is a device that cools and keeps things cold, so an insulated box cooled by ice can properly be called a refrigerator. The 1908 Sears Roebuck Catalogue offered a variety of “refrigerators”, none of them electric. The word “icebox”, according to at least one source, only became common later to apply to non-electric refrigerators. So I wonder why some people used to call the electric refrigerator “the icebox”?

Hendricks County Historical Museum is at 170 S. Washington Street in Danville, one block south of the courthouse. The building was the sheriff and family’s residence from 1866 to 1974, with the jail in the basement. It is furnished as it would have been in the late 1800s. It is open Fridays and Saturdays, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm and for groups by appointment. www.hendrickscountymuseum.org 317-745-6158.

ICONIC brief

Avon Community School Corporation

Breaks Ground for New Middle School Project

Avon

4

Answers to HOOSIER HODGEPODGE:

Fish: BASS, CARP, COD, PERCH, PIKE, TROUT

Cars: CHEVROLET, GMC, HONDA, SUBARU, TOYOTA

Countries: FRANCE, GREECE, ITALY, SPAIN

Flavors: JAVA CHIP, MINT, TOFFEE CRUNCH

Musicals: ANYTHING GOES, KISS ME KATE

Novelist: BOOTH TARKINGTON

Community School Corporation (ACSC) ceremoniously turned the dirt to celebrate the start of construction for a new middle school on Sept. 26. The new middle school, Avon Middle School West, will be located at 1204 S. County Road 450 E. After considerable public input and feedback, in December 2022, the Avon Board of School Trustees chose a strategic growth model to position ACSC for anticipated continued enrollment growth based on demographic studies. In addition to constructing Avon Middle School West, corporation leaders will transition ACSC from the current K-4 elementary, 5-6 intermediate, and 7-8 middle school model to a K-5 elementary, 6-8 middle school model with the opening of Avon Middle School West. This realignment maximizes usage of current schools – Avon Intermediate School East and Avon Intermediate School West will become elementary schools – and will reduce the number of school transitions for students. It also accomplishes the goals of providing more opportunities for students and maintaining target class sizes at each middle school. Smaller schools, smaller class sizes, and fewer transitions generally support higher academic achievement based on achievement studies. This project will be completed with no increase in the tax rate for taxpayers and without the use of 2018 Referendum funds. The new two-story building will comprise 221,196 square feet and accommodate approximately 1,000 students, with the ability to expand to 1,125 students if needed in the future. Learn more at performanceservices.com.

FORtheRECORD - HC OBITUARIES

AVON

Mark D. Hollingsworth

Mark D. Hollingsworth, 67, passed away Sept. 19, 2023. He was born April 20, 1956. Services were held Sept. 23 at Matthews Mortuary, Brownsburg.

Mark A. Moore

Mark A. Moore, 61, passed away Sept. 25, 2023. He was born Oct. 24, 1961. Services were held Sept. 29 at Helton and Harris Funeral Home, Danville.

Linda K. Richardson

Linda K. Richardson, 73, passed away September 23, 2023. She was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother – known for her big heart and bold personality. She was a retired Operator for Indiana Bell/AT&T for 25 years. Linda was a member of the Westview Baptist Church. She is preceded in death by her first husband, Delbert Roberts; parents, James W. and Norma Guffy Simmons. She is survived by her husband, John Richardson; sons, Jason (Brenda) Roberts and Nathan (Kaitlin) Roberts; stepson, Joe Richardson; grandchildren, Kamryn Roberts, Mikenzie Roberts, Ethan Roberts, Carter Roberts and Addison Roberts; brothers, Randy (Sharon) Simmons and Jim (Kathy) Simmons. Visitation will be 1pm5pm Sunday October 1, 2023 at Conkle Funeral Home Avon. Services will be 10am Monday October 2, 2023 at Conkle Funeral Home Avon. Burial will be in West Ridge Park Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Ethan’s Angels c/o Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (Indiana Chapter: 8445 Keystone Crossing, Ste #135 Indianapolis, IN 46240). Checks should be made out to CFF (please include Ethan’s Angels on the memo line) or online donations can be made here, fightcf.cff.org/goto/ethansangels. You may also donate to the specialolympics.org/programs/unitedstates/indiana . Online condolences may be shared at www. conklefuneralhome.com.

Irene M. Sanders

Irene M. Sanders, 91, passed away Sept. 28, 2023. She was born July 31, 1932. Services were held Oct. 2 at Matthews Mortuary, Brownsburg.

BROWNSBURG

Maralyn A. Bobenmeyer

Maralyn A. Bobenmeyer, 92, passed away Sept. 16, 2023. She was born Nov. 7, 1930. Services were held Sept. 22 at Matthews Mortuary, Brownsburg. Contributions may be made to the Central Indiana Land Trust or the Indiana Chapter of the Nature Conservancy.

Gwendolyn P. Collins

Gwendolyn P. Collins, 84, passed away Sept. 26, 2023. She was born Sept. 27, 1938. Services were held Oct. 2 at Conkle Funeral Home, Avon.

Ralph E. Hartnegel

Ralph E. Hartnegel, 64, passed away Sept. 26, 2023. He was born May 24, 1959. Services were held Oct. 3 at Matthews Mortuary, Brownsburg. Contributions may be made to Brownsburg Young Life or Metastatic Mission.

CLAYTON

Ross A. Acton

Ross A. Acton, 58, passed away Sept. 16, 2023. He was born Feb. 21, 1965. Services were held Sept. 21 at Hampton and Gentry Funeral Home, Plainfield.

Beryle A. Lane

Beryle A. Lane, 77, passed away Sept. 25, 2023. He was born Dec. 10, 1945. Services were held Sept. 29. Baker Funeral Home, Danville, was entrusted with the arrangements. Contributions may be made to the Indiana Sheriff’s Association of the Hazelwood Christian Church.

John B. Stanley

John B. Stanley, 72, passed away Sept. 27, 2023. He was born Sept. 20, 1951. Services were held Oct. 1 at Bousley Funeral Home, Coatesville. Contributions may be made to the Mill Creek Christian Support Center.

DANVILLE

Ann Lofton

Ann Lofton, 85, passed away Sept. 13, 2023. She was born Oct. 27, 1937. Services were held Sept. 18. Baker Funeral Home, Danville, was entrusted with the arrangements. Contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

Marti McCoy

Marti McCoy, 87, passed away Sept. 14, 2023. She was born March 4, 1936. Services will be held Oct. 20 at 3 p.m. at Northview Christian Church. Contributions may be made to the McCloud Nature Park.

John

W. Parker, Jr.

John W. Parker, Jr., 73, of Danville, IN (formerly Charleston, WV) passed away unexpectedly at his home on Friday, September 15, 2023. John was born May 6, 1950 to John W. Parker, Sr. and Maysel (Robinson) Parker. He married Linda Jones on June 2, 1989, and she survives. John graduated from DuPont High School in Malden, WV and went on to serve in the West Virginia Air National Guard. He then owned two restaurants, The Chicken Caboose and John Boy’s. John was then a Brakeman, Conductor, and Yardmaster for Penn Central, Conrail, and CSX Railroads for 40 years, retiring in 2010. He was a member of the Moose Lodge #518 and United Transportation Union #247C.

John loved nothing more than spending time with his wife, children, and grandchildren. He loved fishing, no matter the time, place, or what was biting. He passed on his love of fishing to his children and grandchildren. John never met a stranger, making friends with anyone he came across. He was kind, generous, and always ready to lend a helping hand. John is preceded in death by his father, John W. Parker, Sr. He is survived by his wife, Linda Parker; mother, Maysel Parker; children, John M. (Sally) Parker, Cristi (Chris Stone) Parker, and MeChelle Parker-Straight; grandchildren, Haley (Jared) Milhon, Shelby Parker, Maysie Parker, and Landon Stone; sister, Judy (David) Thompson. Visitation was held Wednesday, September 20, 2023 at Conkle Funeral Home in Avon, IN. Services were held Thursday, September 21, 2023 at Conkle Funeral Home in Avon, IN. Burial will

be in Danville South Cemetery in Danville, IN. Online condolences may be shared at conklefuneralhome.com, and contributions can be made in his name to Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital and The Ronald McDonald House.

James A. Vincent

James A. Vincent, 88, passed away Sept. 20, 2023. He was born May 29, 1935. Services were held Oct. 13 at Eric M.D. Bell Funeral Home and Cremation Services. Contributions may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association.

Gerald L. Woodward

Gerald L. Woodward, 67, passed away Sept. 24, 2023. He was born May 2, 1956. Services were held Sept. 29 at Matthews Mortuary, Brownsburg.

JAMESTOWN

George O. Hieston

George O. Hieston, 88, passed away Sept. 22, 2023. He was born Nov. 19, 1934. Private services were held. Eric M.D. Bell Funeral Home and Cremation Services was entrusted with the arrangements.

NORTH SALEM

Allen L. Larmer

Allen L. Larmer, 81, passed away Sept. 23, 2023. He was born Nov. 16, 1941. Services were held Oct. 3. Porter and Hunt Funeral Home, North Salem, was entrusted with the arrangements.

PITTSBORO

Kermit

L. Abell

Kermit L. Abell, 84, passed away Sept. 14, 2023. He was born July 26, 1939. Services were held Sept. 17 at Matthews Mortuary, Brownsburg.

Ronald L. Nardi

Ronald L. Nardi, 84, passed away Sept. 19, 2023. He was born Nov. 26, 1938. Services were held Sept. 24 at Matthews Mortuary, Brownsburg.

Norris D. Smith

Norris D. Smith, 92, passed away Sept. 24, 2023. He was born Oct. 3, 1930. Services were held Sept. 29. Eric M.D. Bell Funeral Home and Cremation Services was entrusted with the arrangements.

Mark Watkins

Mark Watkins, 64, passed away Sept. 15, 2023. He was born June 9, 1959. Private services were held. Eric M.D. Bell Funeral Home and Cremation Services was entrusted with the arrangements.

PLAINFIELD

Dr. Cecil S. Ikemire

Dr. Cecil S. Ikemire, 76, passed away Sept. 15, 2023. He was born Nov. 26, 1946. Services were held Sept. 22 at HamptonGentry Funeral Home, Plainfield.

Merl C. Rentschler

Merl C. Rentschler, 90, passed away Sept. 16, 2023. He was born Nov. 2, 1932. Services were held Sept. 21. Hampton-Gentry Funeral Home, Plainfield, was entrusted with the arrangements. Contributions may be made to the Gasburg Food Pantry or the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Ross D. Walker

Ross D. Walker, 84, passed away Sept. 24, 2023. He was born Nov. 28, 1938. Services were held Sept. 29 at Carlisle-Branson Funeral Service and Crematory, Mooresville.

STILESVILLE

Alan E. Richardson

Alan E. Richardson, 70, passed away Sept. 23, 2023. He was born Nov. 24, 1953. Private services were held.

By Pastor Rashad Cunningham

Since May of this year I have been on a major weight loss journey. Most of the weight loss has come not only from a lifestyle change in how I eat, but also from being intentional about walking around my neighborhood as often as possible. I LOVE WALKING. Not just for the weight loss results, but for the “weight” it lifts from just time with my music, my thoughts, and most of all my GOD!

Over the summer, God placed on my heart the need to strive after my neighborhood. To begin to build community through conversations and relationships. Since I was already walking daily, I was up for the “challenge” and responded to this call by having as many “natural” conversations as the Lord would allow. Over time, some of the conversations have turned into friendships and community is starting to build. But I would be lying if I said I expected things to move this “slow”.

Even earlier this year, God spoke through Cathy Myers, owner of the Hendricks County ICON, and called me to start writing this column. I love talking about Jesus, so of course I was excited for the opportunity, but over the year it became a tad “discouraging” not being able to talk to the people who were reading the column or being impacted for the advancement of the Kingdom.

Insert my neighbor named JOYce. I purposefully place special emphasis on the fact that you can’t spell JOYCE without the word JOY! Joyce is one of the neighbors I met earlier this summer while on one of my daily walks. We spoke on a couple of occasions and just had a few moments of good neighborly interactions. About two weeks ago, she saw me walking again and

stopped me asking me to remind her of what my name was. So I replied “Rashad” and what happened next was a God moment.

Joyce mentioned that she reads the ICON every other week and actually enjoys the faith column that God has privileged me to write. She said she thought it was me, but couldn’t remember my name from our previous conversations. Finally, she said “Rashad, you be sure to keep up the good work”

Sometimes that is all we really need to hear. Affirmation that we are “walking” in the work God has prepared for us and that we should not grow weary in doing that work. I had become discouraged with my neighborhood efforts and longed for some type of response to these writings and God answered both prayers through the words of JOYce!

It reminded me of this Galatians 6:9 - And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

So if anyone is reading this and you, like me, need some Godly encouragement. In the words of my neighborhood friend and sister in Christ… “KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!”

LOVING YOU and FULLY DEPENDENT on HIM.

Want to link up? Connect with me by scheduling at https:// calendly.com/pastorrashad/

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Plant Garlic Now

By John Chapin

GARDENING

is an increasingly important

culinary ingredient, especially with the growing popularity of different ethnic foods, from Mexican to Thai to Middle Eastern. A great number of recipes call for this ingredient and, like most any vegetable, homegrown is more flavorful and nutritious. And, garlic is particularly easy to grow! Fall, just as most vegetable gardens are winding down for the year, is the preferred time to plant garlic in the Midwest for harvest early the following summer. Planting garlic is easy and rewarding, with a generous harvest from just a few cloves, requiring little to no care, and extending the bounty of your vegetable garden. Garlic heads last a long time when properly cured and stored, so they can be used in the kitchen and enjoyed for months longer than most other garden vegetables.

Garlic, when planted in October, grows throughout the winter, mostly underground, ready to emerge in early spring. Squirrels and other mammals hate the smell and taste of garlic, so they will give wide berth to your planted garlic. There are two types of garlic, softneck and hardneck. Softneck are most commonly found at grocery stores, but this time of the year, hardneck varieties can be found at garden centers or easily ordered online. Hardneck varieties have a more intense flavor and are likely to have hues of pink or purple. Hardneck garlic cloves are easier to peel and are typically bigger than softneck cloves. A nice perk of hardneck garlic is that they grow a curly flower stem called a scape, a delicious culinary bonus. Hardneck

cloves last from three to five months in storage.

Planting garlic is easy. It grows just fine in typical garden soil as long as it has good drainage. Break apart the heads of garlic and plant individual cloves pointy side up about 2” deep and spaced 4” apart. It’s not advisable to fertilize when planting. Water well, and the cloves will soon sprout green shoots which usually get a few inches tall before winter weather sets in. Mulch with up to six inches of straw or shredded leaves. In spring, side-dress with a nitrogen rich fertilizer such as blood metal, composted chicken manure, or cottonseed meal, or any slow-release nitrogen source. Keep well-watered during dry spells. Watch for emerging flower scapes in late spring, which are delicious boiled, fried, or grilled. Popular advice is that garlic should be harvested when the first four leaves from the bottom have browned. After pulling your garlic, don’t cut off the stalk or roots. Shake off loose soil and place your plants on a wire rack or hang them, roots up to cure. After two weeks, remove the dry stalks and roots. Store your garlic in a dry, dark place. A paper bag (not plastic) works well.

If you set aside your largest bulbs and plant the largest cloves the following fall, you can repeat the cycle and your garlic will continue to improve.

John Chapin is a retired school teacher and sole proprietor of Chapin Landscaping in Danville. He has over 30 years’ experience in the landscaping business. Contact him at jchapinlandscaping@gmail.com

Garlic

Visiting Historic Jericho

TRAVEL

By Don Knebel

Today, in our continuing tour of Israel and the Palestinian Territories, we come to Jericho, a city with Biblical significance and many historic firsts.

Jericho, with a current population of about 20,000, is located in the Palestinian Territories just west of the Jordan River and about 20 miles east of Jerusalem. Although located within the Judean Desert, Jericho has long been known as the “City of Palms” because of its lush tropical landscape, watered by underground springs. Nomads attracted by those springs founded Jericho in about 10,000 B.C., creating what many believe is the world’s first permanent settlement. In about 9400 B.C. Jericho residents erected the world’s first city walls. A cylindrical stone tower in Jericho, built in about 8000 B.C., was the tallest man-made structure in the world until about 2650 B.C., when it was surpassed by the stepped pyramid of Djoser in Egypt. At 846 feet below sea level, Jericho is lowest city in the world.

Jericho is the site of Biblical story where Joshua “fought the battle” and the “walls

came tumbling down.” Most archaeologists today believe that the walls of Jericho were destroyed by an earthquake hundreds of years before the presumed time of Joshua and that Jericho was not occupied at that time. Jericho is near where the Bible says Jesus was tempted by Satan for 40 days and 40 nights before he began his ministry. The Greek Orthodox Monastery of the Temptation in the hills above Jericho, a popular tourist destination reachable by cable car, remembers that story. Jericho is the eastern terminus of the treacherous Jericho Road leading to Jerusalem that was the setting for Jesus’ parable about the Good Samaritan. Jericho is also the location of the story of Jesus healing the blind beggar and dining with Zacchaeus while on his way to Jerusalem for the last time.

Don Knebel is a local resident who works for Barnes & Thornburg LLP. For the full column visit donknebel.com. You may contact him at editorial@youarecurrent.com.

The 33,000 sq. ft. Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds and Conference Complex is designed to meet any of your social meeting needs: banquets, meetings, seminars or wedding events - we can do it all! Our friendly and knowledgable staff are ready to make your event worry-free and memorable!

• Nine conference classrooms and boardrooms • Complete commercial kitchen • Demonstration kitchen

• 12,000 sq. ft. multi-purpose auditorium

• 24’ x 36’ stage

• Easy load-in areas with overhead door

• High ceilings

• Epoxy covered flooring

• ADA accessibility

Walls of Jericho (Photo by Don Knebel)