Parents want boyfriend to go, daughter follows

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June 25, 2019

Dear Amy: Five years ago, I entered a relationship with a woman I had dated in junior high school, way back in 1980.

We met as friends, the relationship blossomed, and we were married about 20 months later.

At the time we reconnected, my wife’s daughter, "Tamryn," was 14. She is now 20. Tamryn and I had the usual battles, but got along pretty well until this past winter when Tamryn, for reasons escaping us, didn’t think we’d notice that her then 17-year-old boyfriend, "Brian," was basically living with us.

Brian turned 18 early this spring and is graduating from high school, but Brian being a minor was only part of the issue we had with him living with us.

He was eating with us, she was doing his wash and he was taking showers, etc., but contributing nothing to the household.

Tamryn’s mother and I confronted her and presented her with an ultimatum — we said he could stay over on Friday and Saturday nights, but that’s all.

Tamryn chose instead to move out. She moved in with Brian and his grandparents.

This was not the outcome we were hoping for, but we were not going to allow them to "play house" at our home, either.

My wife misses Tamryn dearly, and I feel some guilt about her leaving.

Any advice on this situation?

— Caught in the Middle

Dear Caught: The whole point of an ultimatum is to present a clear choice, surrounded by natural consequences. "Tamryn" responded to yours, made her choice, and now you and her mother can hope for these things: that she is happy, healthy, and safe, that she continues to mature and grow and that she decides to have a friendly relationship with you two.

Her mother and you should keep in touch with her. Encourage her to walk a positive path of schooling and/or work, and let her know that you would enjoy seeing her and "Brian" any time.

Invite, but don’t beg, her to spend time with you. Offer, but don’t force, normal parental assistance and emotional support. Basically, respect her and keep the door open for a continued relationship. She is in a transitional time of life, and this period can be tough on parents, even under optimal circumstances. Everybody needs to be patient.

Dear Amy: After meeting someone through playing bridge online, do you think I should continue the mild flirtations with him, even though I am married?

He is not married, and by our second correspondence I told him I was definitely married.

Can men and women be friends and indirectly (or directly) flirt, as long as they don’t follow-up or personally meet up?

I’m behaving myself, but definitely flirting.

— Madame X

Dear Madame X: Let’s have a looksee at the Golden Rule, which is to "do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

In this case, because you are married, ideally you would view your own behavior through your spouse’s eyes. If he knew about it, how would your behavior make your husband feel?

If your husband behaved this way, how would you feel?

And not to put too fine a point on it, Mr. X might also be married. Or he might simply be a serial flirtist who doesn’t worry about the possible consequences, because he doesn’t face any consequences.

Online connections definitely foster all sorts of boundary-breaking behavior, because you tell yourself that, because all of the behavior is occurring virtually, it’s "not real." Problems set in when virtual behavior becomes very real.

It’s fun to flirt, and it can be fun to be flirted at. If this is truly harmless, then … enjoy! But harmless flirting often leads to less-harmless flirting, where you form intimate connections that will undermine your primary relationship, which is your marriage.

Women and men can definitely have lovely and fulfilling friendships without flirting. I highly recommend it.

Dear Amy: I agree with your advice that "Moving On" should drop her obnoxious, tone deaf friend of 35 years, but disagree that it will be painful.

Like Moving On, I am part of a longtime group of friends. One in our group slowly morphed into Marie Antoinette.

The shameless social climber was confronted, and bowed out of the group.

That was three years ago, and I didn’t miss our 30-year friendship for a minute. It’s quite easy to move on when you no longer share values.

— Free at Last

Dear Free: Dropping a friend can be painful … until the overwhelming relief sets in.

Has it really been 50 years? Columbus High School reunion classes organize memories

By

Staff Reports

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June 25, 2019

Members of the Columbus High School Class of 1965 gathered at the Columbus North Senior Circle during their 50-year class reunion in 2015. From left, front row: Terry Rutan, Dennis Stuckey, John Dunlap, Karen Zink Hamilton; back row: Mike Spears, Steve Platt, Sharon McGaha Groves, John Holland, Micheal Hartley, Demetrius Jim Zaharico, Margaret Dugan Ellis, Kathy Dietrich Werber-McEwen, Steven Fushelberger.

uite obviously, the fact that a 50-year time span can also be characterized as a half-century figures heavily into why 50-year high school reunions are considered so significant. The “big 5-0” just seems like more of a milestone than the ones that came before.

What distinguishes them in terms of who turns out, how they interact and what kinds of activities are planned?

John Dunlap, Columbus High School Class of 1965, has been involved in organizing all his group’s reunions over the years and says that he received some responses to the 50th indicating that a bit more structure would have been appreciated.

“Our program wasn’t enough,” he says. “I got some feedback on that.”

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In particular, he says that some expressed the wish that there had been “an opportunity for everyone to stand up and have a minute. Sure, it would have been a little time-consuming, but some would have just said their names and sat back down.”

He also heard that there should have been “a little more acknowledgment of those no longer with us.”

The nature of the conversation, according to Dunlap, was two-fold: catching up on family and dishing about memories from the teen years.

He explains that the low-key nature of the weekend was mainly due to two factors. One, the organizing committee “tried really hard to keep the cost down. We still have some money in the bank. We made a decision not to feed everybody. That kept the admission fee to $19.65.”

The second factor was that the committee was still catching its breath from the 45th reunion. The class had gone to a five-year frequency after its 10-year gathering, and the last few had been rather ambitious.

“For the 40th, several classmates who had been known as musicians throughout the years organized a band called The Viagraphonics, and we staged a concert to which the whole city was invited. We also put on a musical extravaganza for our 45th, held at the Crump Theatre.”

Dunlap notes that attendance has stayed pretty steady throughout the decades, at about 150 to 200. One interesting phenomenon he points out is the perennial absence of certain locals, even as people come in from as far away as Oregon.

In recent years, a number of CHS classes have staged an informal party on Fourth Street on one of the nights and something more official on the other. Dunlap says that night’s proceedings were held at Hotel Indigo, and he says it got a little crowded.

Donna Sasse, CHS Class of 1967, says her group had a street party on Friday and then gathered at Harrison Lake Country Club on Saturday. She worked the check-in table at the street party, and while she recognized several classmates, “for some, it was nice that they had a name tag.”

She notes that she experienced some surprises. “You had aspirations for some, and those were not met, and vice versa.”

The committee set up a display table on Saturday. People could peruse yearbooks, including some going back to elementary school, and sports and prom memorabilia. A group picture was organized.

There was space in the program for the names of deceased classmates, which attendees appreciated.

She mentions that she discovered some classmates’ whereabouts after the reunion.

“I’d meet people at church and find out their parents were classmates, or I’d read obituaries of the classmates’ parents and catch up on them.”

Judy Rohlfing and Gail Peetz are on the organizing committee for the CHS Class of 1969’s reunion this September. The idea for the first night is for Hotel Indigo to serve as a launching point from which people will wander into downtown Columbus. Among the attractions to be explored will be Exhibit Columbus installations throughout the area.

On Saturday, Harrison Lake Country Club will be the site of a golf outing in the afternoon and a party featuring “generous hors d’oeuvres” that evening.

Peetz, who has been involved in organizing all the class reunions since the 10-year soiree, says social media has been a boon to her outreach efforts.

“I had 40 leads from one post,” she notes.

An easel will be set up displaying photos of deceased class members, and there will be an acknowledgment of them, along with military veterans, as part of the proceedings.

It’s clear that the 50-year milestone means a lot to many people.

Dunlap says that the idea for his class’s latest, as well as the upcoming 55-year commemoration, is “remember, relate and reconnect.”

As Sasse puts it, “It’s important for people to realize that their past has meaning, that life isn’t just about living day to day.”

Prime Time calendar – June 2019

By

Staff Reports

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June 25, 2019

Continuing

Through Sept. 21

Columbus Farmers Market

9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays, on Brown Street, between Fifth and Eighth streets (across from Mill Race Park) in the Cummins parking lot.

Through Sept. 28

Columbus City Farmers Market

9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturdays in the parking lot at Fair Oaks Mall.

JUNE 25

Jim Gill’s Nationwide Campaign for Play

1 to 2 p.m., The Commons. This concert is an opportunity for family play. Gill strums energetic rhythms on his banjo while everyone claps, sings and dances along to the silly and inspiring musical games he creates. Bring a blanket for floor sitting and join in the fun.

JUNE 25

Global Beatles Day Concert on the Plaza

6:30 to 7:30 p.m., Bartholomew County Public Library. For the first time last year, Global Beatles Day was celebrated with a concert featuring The Tempos, a band from Indianapolis that performs Beatles songs. Since it was a great time, the band is returning this year. Bring a chair. Rain Location: Library Red Room.

JUNE 26

Sock Hop

6 to 8 p.m., Mill Race Center, 900 Lindsey St. $10 for dinner ticket. Enjoy a delicious meal from Blackerby’s Hangar 5 and great music from The Reunion Band. All proceeds will go to the Mill Race Center Meals on Wheels Scholarship Fund. Tickets must be purchased in advance at the Mill Race Center business office. Information: 812-376-9241.

JUNE 27

Noon Kids Concert

Free. Donner Park shelter house. Sing, dance and rock out to some catchy tunes with Mr. Daniel.

JUNE 27

(IN)place Artist Reception

5 to 7 p.m., 411 Gallery, 411 Sixth St. Artist reception of the summer exhibition: (IN)place, featuring local artists Rachel Kavathe, Michele Pollock and Christine Sullivan. (IN)place is a poetic exploration of the natural environment.

JUNE 27

Live in the Park

6 to 9 p.m., Irwin Park, North Main Street, Edinburgh. An evening of musical entertainment by the 38th Infantry Band. There will be food/beverage vendors, pie baking contest, watermelon seed spitting contest, and more. Bring lawn chairs. Music from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

JUNE 27, 30

“Skin Deep”

Willow Leaves, 326 Jackson St., Hope. Willow Leaves and Actors Studio of Hope present this dinner theater. Thursday and Saturday — Doors open 5:30 p.m., dinner 6 p.m., play 7 p.m. No show Friday. Sunday — Doors open 12:30 p.m., dinner 1 p.m., play at 2 p.m. Tickets: $26, includes dinner. Reservations: 812-546-0640.

JUNE 28

Rockets and Rock ’n’ Roll Concert on the Plaza

6 to 7 p.m., Bartholomew County Public Library plaza, 536 Fifth St. Join The Reunion Band as they rock out the universe.

JUNE 28

An Old-Fashioned Fourth of July

5 to 10:30 p.m., Hope Town Square. Enjoy food vendors, fish fry, homemade desserts, live music and activities. Bring lawn chairs for music and fireworks. Information: 812-546-8020 or 812-371-7969.

JUNE 28

The Thomas Brothers

7:30 p.m., Brown County Playhouse, 70 S. Van Buren St., Nashville. As seen headlining in Branson, Missouri, touring with the Osmond Brothers and taking their show worldwide, Ross and Rhett Thomas bring music of the ’50s, ’60s, the best of Broadway, country and gospel. Concessions available, doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets $23.50/$22.50. Information: browncountyplayhouse.org/on-stage.

JUNE 29

Petals and Pages: A Celebration of Flowers and Literature

1 to 3 p.m., Bartholomew County Public Library. Mudlarks and Flower Lane, both affiliated with the Garden Club of Indiana and the National Garden Club, invite you to a show featuring horticulture, floral designs and educational exhibits. Gallery talk at 2:30 p.m.

JULY 4-6

Fourth of July at CERA

Ceraland Park, 3989 S. Road 525E. Enjoy food vendors, bounce house, kids’ crafts, corn hole, kickball, bike parade, movies and Night Owl Country Band. Schedule and information: ceraland.org/july-4th-schedule.html.

JULY 5

Farmers Market of Hope

5 to 8 p.m., Hope Town Square. Find produce, crafts and food booths.

JULY 5

Hope Summer Cruise-in

6 to 8 p.m., Hope Town Square. Car enthusiasts can park cars off the east side of the square. All models/years welcome. Bands will perform. Events/activities may include baby contest, baking contest, coloring contest, cornhole tournament, ice cream floats and food/craft/produce vendors. Information: 812-546-0423.

JULY 5

“Born in the USA”

7:30 p.m., Brown County Playhouse, 70 S. Van Buren St., Nashville. Eric Brown and The L Street Band capture the essence of Bruce Springsteen’s iconic sound in a way that pays homage to the legend’s rise from New Jersey working class hero to international superstar. Concessions available, doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets $21.50/$20.50. Information: browncountyplayhouse.org/on-stage.

JULY 5-13

Bartholomew County 4-H Fair

Bartholomew County Fairgrounds, 750 W. Road 200S. For a fleeting week during the warm days of summer, people from the surrounding area gather for food, fun, family and friends at the fair. Information: bartholomewcountyfair.com.

JULY 6

First Saturdays at Utopia

1 p.m., Utopia Wildlife, 18300 E. County Road 200N, Hope. Enjoy a live animal program in the amphitheater, followed by a tour of the property. The event is weather-permitting, and an offering is suggested. Begins at 1 p.m. the first Saturday of each month, April to October. Information: utopiawildlife.org.

JULY 6

The Summer of ’69 — Music from the Woodstock Era

7:30 p.m., Brown County Playhouse, 70 S. Van Buren St., Nashville. Reliving the music from 1969 and celebrating the 50th anniversary of Woodstock. Concessions available, doors open at 7 p.m. Tickets $21.50/$20.50; prices do not include additional ticketing fees. Information: browncountyplayhouse.org/on-stage.

JULY 11

JCB Neighborfest — Bigger is Better Band

6 to 8:30 p.m., downtown Columbus. Gather your family, friends, co-workers and neighbors for this outdoor concert. Bring a lawn chair and money for dinner and drinks, as The Savory Swine will be providing burgers and brats hot off the grill, and Fun on 4th will be pouring adult beverages from a full bar.

JULY 12

Mill Race Center Welcome Breakfast

9:30 a.m., 900 Lindsey St. Have you recently joined or are you interested in Mill Race Center? We’d like to get to know you better and introduce you to the variety of programs and events we have planned throughout the year. Call to register: 812-376-9241.

JULY 19

Free Fun Day

1:30 to 3 p.m., Donner Center (all children must be accompanied by an adult). Animals with Indiana Wild. Information: 812-376-2680.

JULY 20

Donner Park Variety Show

Free. 7 to 9 p.m., Donner Park shelter house, 22nd Street and Lafayette Avenue.

JULY 26

Free Fun Day

1:30 to 3 p.m., Donner Center (all children must be accompanied by an adult). Carnival Time. Information: 812-376-2680. From 2 to 2:45 p.m., the Rope Warrior, a “lean, mean jumping machine,” will perform tricks and stunts with jump ropes. Information: 812-376-2680.

AUGUST 1

JCB Neighborfest — The Jackson Way

6 to 8:30 p.m., downtown Columbus. Gather your family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors for this outdoor concert. Bring a lawn chair and money for dinner and drinks, as The Savory Swine will be providing burgers and brats hot off the grill, and Fun on 4th will be pouring adult beverages from a full bar.

AUGUST 2

Mill Race Center Welcome Breakfast

Held at 9:30 a.m. the first Friday of each month in the lounge at 900 Lindsey St. Call to register: 812-376-9241.

AUGUST 2

Hope Summer Cruise-in

6 to 8 p.m., Hope Town Square. Car enthusiasts can park cars off the east side of the square. All models/years welcome. Bands will perform. Events/activities may include baby contest, baking contest, coloring contest, cornhole tournament, ice cream floats and food/craft/produce vendors. Information: 812-546-0423.

AUGUST 3

First Saturdays at Utopia

1 p.m., Utopia Wildlife, 18300 E. County Road 200N, Hope. Great for kids, grandkids and adults. See and learn about a wide range of Indiana wildlife. The event is weather-permitting, and an offering is suggested. Begins at 1 p.m. the first Saturday of each month, April to October. Information: utopiawildlife.org.

Food for thoughts: Eating habits that are real no-brainers

By

Staff Reports

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June 25, 2019

When it comes to health, perhaps nothing captivates our attention more than advice about what we should and shouldn’t eat. Diet is at once personal and political. While we all know that indeed “we are what we eat,” our food choices in reality reflect our cultural influences, economic opportunities, health values and susceptibility to the latest food craze.

And this is nothing new. My grandmother, for example, told me that when she was young, olive oil was considered terribly unhealthy, with “schmaltz” or rendered chicken fat thought to be a much better choice. Imagine that.

Over my 20-plus years dedicated to knowing what we can do to build better brain health, I have seen many brain food fads, including supplements, wax and wane in popularity. As a result, I tend to take a fairly conservative view regarding what we should and shouldn’t be eating for better brain health.

While we know more than at any previous time about how diet may influence our cognitive well-being, there is limited evidence for a specific brain-saving diet or magic pill. After all this time, I have concluded that the best thing we can do is consider trends in nutrition science that support better cognitive and overall health outcomes, rather than chasing every new craze.

So, what do these trends show us really matters when it comes to a better brain health diet? Here are three “no-brainer” tips that everyone with a brain can follow to boost cognitive well-being for sharper daily thinking and long-term cognitive vitality.

Start with the basics

Most of us can brain-boost our diet simply by eating healthier. The truth is, despite an apparent obsession with this fad or that, the majority of Americans don’t follow even the most basic nutritional advice. And, for many, this may not be a matter of choice, but access.

What are the basics? Eating a diet that is dominated by produce, with lean sources of protein, whole-grain sources of carbohydrates, mono-unsaturated sources of fat and sparing in sweets. A shift to this scientifically sound, accessible nutritional plan can really move the needle toward better cognitive and overall well-being for everyone.

Need a great resource for what the basics are? Try the U.S. government program (supported by our tax dollars) “Choose My Plate,” www.choosemyplate.gov.

Weight matters

Another clear trend in the research on nutrition and cognitive well-being is one that can be, well, hard to swallow. And that is that our weight matters. Large epidemiological studies have shown for years now that increased weight increases our risk for dementia.

Most recently, a study in over 9,000 subjects published in Neurologyshowed that increased weight, especially when concentrated around the belly, was significantly linked to decreased brain volume. This strong trend in the research suggests that we should do what we can to maintain a healthy weight and avoid belly fat, including following a healthy diet and getting regular aerobic exercise.

Drink up

Water, that is. Many of us do not hydrate sufficiently every day. And that can affect our overall well-being and brain health. Why? Our bodies consist of a significant amount of water. In fact, scientists estimate that our brains are made up of about 70% water.

Recent reports suggest that many of us are chronically dehydrated and that this impacts our daily performance and vitality. This is especially true as we grow older and can have a harder time sensing thirst.

Recent studies suggest that we need more than the previously recommended eight glasses of water per day and should in fact aim for at least 11 to 12 glasses of water per day. If that seems like a lot to drink, try adding fresh fruit to your water or add herbal tea or sparkling water to your daily dose.

That’s it. Just start with the basics, keep an eye on the scale and make sure to get that daily dose of water. You really don’t need to do anything more complicated that these three “no brainer” strategies for a brain healthy diet we can all follow.

Here’s to many happy memories!

Complaints about Brighter Days tail off after year

By

Mark Webber

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June 25, 2019

20190626cr state street meeting 7 — Columbus Code Enforcement officer Fred Barnett talks about how his department is handling issues with the homeless population in the area around the Brighter Days emergency housing shelter during a public meeting at Columbus City Hall in Columbus, Ind., Monday, June 24, 2019. Mike Wolanin | The Republic

COLUMBUS, Ind. — The complaints by residents and business owners about the Brighter Days emergency housing shelter have quieted over a year’s time.

Last summer, about 200 residents and business owners signed a petition asking that Brighter Days, located at 421 Mapleton St., be moved out from their neighborhood.

When 20 people showed up for a follow-up meeting Monday at Columbus City Hall, nobody was complaining.

Please read Wednesday’s edition of The Republic for more details.

New fair experience for veteran 4-H’er: Queen

By

Mark Webber

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June 25, 2019

From left, Claudia Sims, third runner-up and Miss Congeniality; Chloe Sims, second runner-up; Riley Coers, first runner-up; and Mackenzie Smith, 2019 Bartholomew County 4-H Fair Queen, on stage during the Bartholomew County 4-H Fair Queen Pageant, Sunday June 23, 2019. Carla Clark | For The Republic

Mackenzie Smith’s experiences at the Bartholomew County 4-H Fair over the past nine years have ranged from showing goats to cake decorating.

This year, they’ll be a bit more regal.

The 18-year-old Columbus East senior emerged from a field of 15 contestants to be crowned the 2019 Bartholomew County 4-H fair queen.

“I can’t wait to experience the fair in a new way since I’ve been there so long,” said Smith, who also said she’s looking forward to building new or strong friendships with members of her court.

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Smith, daughter of Tod and Jeni Smith, was crowned Sunday by last year’s queen, Madelyn Steinwedel, at the Columbus North Judson Erne Auditorium. The pageant’s audience size was estimated at about 500 by auditorium director John Johnson.

When Smith heard her name announced as the queen, the only word that could describes her emotions at the time was “amazed,” she said.

“I wouldn’t have expected it,” Smith said. “All the other girls did an amazing job. I thought they all deserved it.”

Smith received an enthusiastic response during the evening wear competition when she was asked her to name her favorite quote.

Without hesitation, Smith quoted the words of former NBA player Tim Duncan: “Good, better, best — never let it rest, until your good is better and your better is best.”

After describing 4-H as a huge part of her life, Smith said she welcomes this opportunity to give back to the organization, and “be a positive role model for all of the other 4-H’ers.”

The queen and her three-member court will spend the week at the Bartholomew County Fair, July 5-13.

Smith, who will receive a scholarship and various other honors from local businesses, also will represent Bartholomew County at the Indiana State Fair Queen pageant.

The first runner-up was Riley Coers, the 18-year-old daughter of Brad and Carey Coers who graduated last spring from Columbus East High School. Involved in several activities, Coers has been a 4-H member for two years.

What was perhaps the biggest surprise of the evening was two daughters of Chad and Debbie Sims were awarded three of the pageant’s top five honors.

Claudia Sims, 19, was named both Miss Congeniality and third runner-up, while her 17-year-old sister, Chloe Sims, was named second runner-up. Claudia Sims is currently a sophomore at Purdue University, while Chloe will be a senior at Columbus East High School this August.

The sisters had practiced together for the competition, including asking each other interview questions and doing mock interviews, Claudia Sims said.

“We practiced being on-stage on our front porch, and pretending we were talking to an audience,” she said. “But we had a great time doing it.”

While Chloe Sims was all smiles, she seemed to be more excited for her big sister than she was for herself.

“She always wanted to be on the court, and she got two titles,” Chloe Sims said. “It really made me feel good for her.”

The theme of Sunday’s pageant, “Heroes in the Heartland,” prompted the 15 contestants to make their first stage appearance dressed as the hero of their choice.

While a trio of teens paid tribute to their fathers or grandfathers, three others saluted farmers. But there were also a number of choices that reflected strong, independent women from history, such as race car driver Janet Guthrie, the first American female physician Elizabeth Blackwell and Rosie the Riveter.

To ensure impartiality, the pageant was judged by three out-of-county residents.

As the judges met backstage to make their decisions, Steinwedel was given the time to reflect on not only her time as fair queen, but also as a 10-year 4-H club member.

Among the fond memories she shared from her reign was meeting former NASCAR champion Tony Stewart, participating in a dance party in the grandstands and riding in a monster truck.

But Steinwedel said her favorite experience was bonding with younger 4-H members who taught her not to take life so seriously.

“4-H was more than just about the projects,” the outgoing fair queen said. “It was about a thousand life lessons I learned along the way, the friendships I made and the memories I will treasure forever.”

Steinwedel advised that Smith “take every opportunity to experience something new, enjoy every minute and always keep a smile on your face.”

[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”The Smith File ” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]

Who: Mackenzie Smith

What: 2019 Bartholomew County 4-H Fair queen

Age: 18

Parents: Todd and Jeni Smith

Education: Senior at Columbus East High School

Community activities: Dance Marathon committee; LEAD Mentors; St. Peter’s Lutheran Church member; Columbus East Unified track and field; Student Assembly.

4-H Activities: Member for nine years; has participated in goats, arts and crafts, photography, gift wrapping and cake decorating.

Honors/awards: National Honor Society; National Spanish Honor Society; National Art Honor Society; numerous Grand Champion awards throughout her 4-H career.

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Rural mail museum has new home in Hope

By

Mark Webber

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June 25, 2019

The Yellow Trail Museum has become the major caretaker for most of the artifacts from the Indiana Rural Letter Carriers Association Museum. Here are just a few of the items currently on display.

HOPE — The Indiana Rural Letter Carriers Association Museum has a new, permanent home in the town of Hope after a four-year absence.

The building at 638 Main St. has been acquired to serve as the new home of the Letter Carriers museum, according to an announcement from long-time Yellow Trail Museum leader Barb Johnson.

Located immediately south of the Yellow Trail, the building formerly served as a studio for Michael Arford, a highly-decorated Indiana State Police master trooper who became a professional photographer after retiring from law enforcement in 1993. Arford died in September 2017 at the age of 78.

For several years, the Letter Carriers museum was housed in a tiny, brown, wood-frame building on the northwest side of the town square to commemorate that Hope has the the longest continuous rural mail delivery service in the state, which dates to October 1896.

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It was believed for a time that Hope had the longest continuous service in the entire country, but a number of historians believe that honor goes to Charles Town, West Virginia, which was the hometown of the U.S. Postmaster General in 1896.

But the municipally-owned building had problems. For example, there was no climate control, which made the building prone to insect infestation. In addition, the sunlight that came through the large exhibit windows damaged a number of fragile exhibits.

Another factor was the annual Hope Heritage Days, which had grown so large that organizers said they needed the prime space on the northwest side of the square occupied by the museum.

As part of a $100,000 town square beautification project, the small structure was demolished in 2015 after a variety of different organizations, including the Hawcreek Heritage Arts Center, agreed to house some of the exhibits.

But in recent years, the Yellow Trail Museum has become the major caretaker for the artifacts, Johnson said.

While the Arford building was acquired by the Yellow Trail Museum for $42,500, “now comes the time when we have to beg for grants to see what help we can get for necessary changes and improvements,” Johnson said.

Since the acquisition was just announced June 18, Johnson said it’s too early to begin speculating on when the new museum will open.

“It will depend on how quickly money comes in, and how fast we can work,” she said.

Many artifacts will remain in secure storage until building repairs and renovations are completed, Johnson said.

Some of the most valuable items trace their heritage to Hope. They include two enclosed mail delivery carriages that are believed to have been made by the Neligh Co. of Hope.

Other exhibits include Hope carrier E.J. Spaugh’s cash and supply box, which he used from 1902 to 1934, as well as a tin foot warmer used by late 19th-century mail carrier Nella Drybread of Edinburgh.

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For those who wish to assist with improvements to the building purchased to be the new home of the Indiana Rural Letter Carriers Association Museum, call the Yellow Trail Museum at 812-546-8020.

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City asked to include e-cigarettes in smoking ordinance

By

Andy East

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June 24, 2019

Officials from Columbus Regional Health and Healthy Communities are urging the Columbus City Council to amend the city’s smoking ordinance to include electronic cigarettes.

Kylee Jones, tobacco awareness coordinator at Healthy Communities, and Beth Morris, director of community health partnerships at CRH, appeared before the city council seeking the change.

Jones gave a presentation on the prevalence of electronic cigarette use and some of the health risks associated with the products, including the effects of nicotine and other chemicals, exposure to second-hand aerosol from electronic cigarettes, among others.

“We think amending the ordinance will send a message about how this community understands the risks (of electronic cigarettes) and help parents understand as well,” said Morris said during the city council meeting on June 18.

In 2012, Indiana instituted a statewide policy that bans smoking in all workplaces except for bars, casinos, private clubs whose members vote to allow smoking, home-based businesses whose only employees are family members and tobacco retail shops. A city or county can pass a stronger law that institutes additional smoking regulations.

Columbus approved a smoke-free ordinance in 2012 that prohibited smoking in private clubs, bars, taverns and all facilities listed as exceptions under the Indiana smoking law. The policy does not address the use of electronic cigarettes.

An electronic cigarette, or e-cigarette, is a hand-held, battery-powered device that simulates smoking by creating a nicotine-laced aerosol that users inhale. Electronic cigarettes come in different shapes and sizes, though some look like traditional cigarettes.

E-cigarettes do not burn tobacco. Instead, they have cartridges that contain a mixture of nicotine and other chemicals. The use of electronic cigarettes is often referred to as “vaping” due to the vapor-like aerosol the devices emits.

The public appeal by Columbus Regional Health officials came as health care providers around the country are attempting to combat the increasing use of e-cigarettes among youth.

Though the rate of teens smoking traditional cigarettes in the United States reached an all-time low of 4.6 percent in 2018, the use of e-cigarettes has soared in recent years, reaching 19.2 percent in 2018, a 60 percent increase from the year before, according to Monitoring the Future’s National Adolescent Drug Trends survey.

In Bartholomew County, 29 percent of high school seniors at Bartholomew County School Corp. schools have reported using an e-cigarette, according to data presented during the city council meeting.

“E-cigarettes are erasing everything we’ve done with (traditional) cigarettes,” Jones said.

Earlier this month, Healthy Communities announced that the Indiana State Department of Health had awarded it a $160,000 grant to continue its smoking cessation efforts and expand prevention efforts targeting youth in the Bartholomew County.

Most notably, the grant will allow Healthy Communities to hire a youth coordinator to help prevent and reduce the use tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, among local youth, primarily from 7th to 12th grades.

“The big thing that is included in this grant is the youth coordinator,” Jones said. “We’re able to hire a youth coordinator to work with schools. The youth coordinator would be primarily working with youth and youth-serving agencies.”

Though there is limited research into the long-term effects of electronic cigarettes, researchers and experts caution that most electronic cigarettes contain harmful or potentially harmful ingredients, including nicotine, an addictive substance that naturally occurs in tobacco plants that has been linked to increased blood pressure and spiked levels of adrenaline, which can increase a user’s heart rate to increase and potentially lead to a heart attack, according to the U.S. Surgeon General’s website.

However, the types and concentrations of chemicals in electronic cigarettes vary by brand. Some electronic cigarette cartridges contain as much as 20 cigarettes worth of nicotine, according to Truth, a national anti-smoking campaign aimed at teenagers.

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Visit crh.org/community-foundation/healthy-communities/tobacco-awareness to learn more about Healthy Communities’ tobacco awareness efforts.

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Traffic stop leads to 2 arrests on warrants

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Staff Reports

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June 24, 2019

COLUMBUS, Ind. — A traffic stop in Columbus resulted in the arrest of two individuals who had outstanding Bartholomew County warrants.

Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Deputy Dylan Prather conducted the traffic stop at about 9:37 p.m. Saturday in the 1800 block of 10th Street.

Paul Comstock, 52, of 12891 N. County Road 670E in Hope, was arrested on the warrant and other preliminary charges, some relating to drugs. During Comstock’s arrest, deputies also confirmed that a female observer, identified as Loretta Reed, 34, 1804 10th St. in Columbus, had an outstanding arrest warrant. Reed was also arrested and booked into the county jail on the warrant.

Please read Tuesday’s edition of The Republic for additional details.

Around Town – June 24

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Staff Reports

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June 24, 2019

Orchids to …

• responsible citizens who understand the critical importance to our democracy of following and respecting the rule of law.

• Clifford Fire Department for an awesome fish fry this past weekend, the fish sandwiches and pies were good.

• the Archdiocese for making the right decision.

Happy Birthday to …

• Joann Blevins, from your family and co-workers.

• Paula Pyles, from your family and the retiree lunch bunch.

• Hallie Hege, from your family and Donna.

• Kevin Brown, from Pastor Marvin Brown and Trinity Baptist Church.

• Alisa Coombs from friends at the Moravian Church.

• Michele Sweet.

• Ruth Hutt, from your Daughters of Isabella sisters.

• Teresa Hensley, from Betty and Pete.

• Jason Pike, from your family.

• Doris June Brown, from Doneda, Diane, Hallett, and family.

Happy Anniversary to …

• Carl and Annette Butler, from your family and Donna.

• Richard and Betsy Herndon, from friends at the Moravian Church.

• ANOTHER beautiful morning