When the going gets tough, communities come together to meet the challenges. These last several weeks of pandemic stress and uncertainty have also been a time for countless expressions of hope and humanity.  We’ve all been encouraged and inspired by stories of people helping people in so many ways.  That’s why we’re dedicating our July… Continue reading.

By Richard G. Biever Five years since his near-fatal run-in with the wall at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, IndyCar driver James Hinchcliffenow pokes a little fun at his injuries.But on May 18, 2015, it was deadly serious. During a practice lap just days before that year’s Indianapolis 500, his car’s right front suspension broke going… Continue reading.

By Holly Huffman Imagine your dream coming true at age 13. That’s exactly what happened to Trevin Alford, a middle school student from Washington, Indiana. Last fall, Alford “battered” the competition, winning season seven of the Food Network’s “Kids Baking Championship.” The program featured nine kids, ranging in age from 10-13, tackling various baking challenges…. Continue reading.

The late legendary singer Johnny Cash rode the “train song” genre through his career until he ran out of track. One of his songs lamented the passing of the American passenger train as the main mode of transportation. “In this fast-moving world that we live in, nobody rides them much these days,” he sang.  If… Continue reading.

The coronavirus outbreak has been big business for scammers. First it was fake masks, then fake government grants, then fake COVID-19 tests. Every catastrophe brings out both the best in people and — and sadly, the worst. Since the pandemic began in late winter, the Better Business Bureau has been tracking numerous reports of “official-sounding” scams attempting… Continue reading.

Hendricks County is one of the state’s fastest growing counties, mostly because Marion County/Indianapolis is its neighbor to the east. But the county’s two largest towns are joining in the downtown revitalization boom to keep the young local folks at home. Both Brownsburg, along the I-74 spoke out of Indianapolis, and Plainfield, along the I-70… Continue reading.

By Emily Schilling It was dark. The only light flickered through the globes of coal oil lamps. Food was prepared on wood stoves. Washing was done by hand and scrub board. And farm chores were tackled without the assistance of electrical equipment. This was living in the country 85 years ago. And living wasn’t easy… Continue reading.

By Emily Schilling They look innocent enough: tiny, smooth, brightly colored, sweet nuggets that rest so invitingly in Easter baskets amid cellophane “grass.” Why then do they threaten me so? Evil shouldn’t lurk within a jelly bean! OK, maybe I’m exaggerating a bit when I say “evil.” But since I remember when the only dangers… Continue reading.

If you’re inside during a tornado Take shelter in a windowless, interior room; a storm cellar; or the lowest level of the building. Stay away from glass doors and windows to avoid debris from heavy wind. Crouch down and make yourself as small of a “target” as possible. If you can, get under a piece… Continue reading.

Top 3 responsibilities in a day: Provide direction. I lead the superintendents and forepersons who oversee our tree crews. Purchase. I make sure our crews have the resources they need to run safely and efficiently like personal protective equipment, tools and equipment.  Budgeting. I set and maintain a consistent budget for the required scope of work…. Continue reading.

Long before electric cooperatives began stringing silver strands of singing wire across rural America in the 1930s, the rhythmic chatter of windmills performed many of the tasks needed to make America grow. Every farm, ranch and railroad stop had those mechanical marvels of wood and steel blades and fins to pump water and do other… Continue reading.