Quick takes – November 12th

Biology wins

Kudos to IUPUC biology coordinator Barbara Hass-Jacobus, who has quelled an outbreak of pesky fruit flies and gnats on the north-side Columbus campus by lending out her insect-eating plants to various university faculty.

She is letting nature take its course in solving the problem, at no cost to anyone, by sharing her Cape sundew plants, which are native to the Cape of South America and part of a predatory group of flowering plants that kill to get nutrition into their bodies.

This was a simple but clever way to solve a pesky problem, and one that others can employ if the need arises.

Answer the bell

The local Salvation Army’s annual Red Kettle Campaign starts today. Donations support the outreach’s food pantry, summer camps, utility bill assistance program and other needs of people who require assistance.

This year’s goal is to raise $115,000 by Dec. 24. One of the elements that is vital to making the campaign successful each year is having a large contingent of bell ringers to work shifts around the Columbus area. Unfortunately, the Salvation Army needs many more volunteer ringers to cover its projected 32 sites.

This is a perfect opportunity to help support an organization’s worthy causes, and in the process people in need. To sign up for a shift, go online at registertoring.com.

Bigger impact

Hope’s Yellow Trail Museum has grown physically by one-third thanks to the work of museum board members and other backers, and the Heritage Fund – The Community Foundation of Bartholomew County, which provided a $25,000 grant enabling the museum to purchase an adjacent space.

The museum has 33 percent more space for exhibits and activities. New exhibits which reflect Hope history have already been added in the additional square footage.

Other supporters include the Hawcreek-Flat Rock Area Endowment, which provided money to purchase a new computer to work in tandem with a printer and scanner donated by the Bartholomew County Genealogical Society.

The generosity shown toward the Yellow Trail Museum is a great benefit to Hope, a community that takes great pride in its history. This assistance will help serve an important educational purpose.