Dubois REC - March 2026 Indiana Connection

Dubois REC’s

MARCH 2026

nature NURTURING

Gene Stratton-Porter’s preservationist efforts continue a century after her death

Geothermal isn’t just about comfort. It’s about energy independence, grid resilience, and good jobs.

Geothermal heating and cooling doesn’t just make homes more comfortable and efficient— they’re powered by a domestic, underground energy source that’s available 24/7, rain or shine.

Made in the USA: Our geothermal systems are built right here in America, supporting advanced manufacturing jobs.

Grid-friendly: While AI, EVs, and data centers push power demand to new heights, geothermal helps reduce peak load—easing the burden on our utilities.

Job-creating: From HVAC contractors and well drillers or trenchers to engineers and architects, geothermal supports a wide network of high-paying, skilled jobs in every community it touches.

Geothermal isn’t just smart for homeowners. It’s smart for the country.

Contact Your Local WaterFurnace Dealer

Delphi

Blue Fox Htg & Clg (765) 822-2200 bluefoxhvac.com

Farmersburg

Heady Htg & Clg (812) 696-2396

Flora

Camflo Htg & Clg (574) 967-4200 camfloheatingandcooling.com

Fort Wayne

Masters Htg & Clg, Inc. (866) 824-4328 mastersingeothermal.com

Greensburg

Wallpe Htg & Clg (812) 663-7252 wallpegeothermal.com

Indianapolis Masters Htg & Clg by Van Valer, Inc. (317) 881-9074 mastersingeothermal.com

Jasper Hulsman Refrigeration, Inc. (812) 634-1492 hulsmanrefrigeration.com

Laotto

T&T Plbg, Htg, A/C & Geothermal (260) 200-4003 tt-ph.com

Lebanon

Blue Fox Htg & Clg (765) 859-0880 bluefoxhvac.com

Nappanee Crist Plbg, Htg, Electrical (574) 831-4630 cristnappanee.com

North Manchester Mars Refrigeration, LLC (260) 901-0057

North Vernon Air One Htg & Clg, Inc. (888) 346-1790 aironehvac.com

Ossian Collier’s Comfort Services (260) 622-6622 collierscomfort.com

visit us at waterfurnace.com

Warsaw Colliers Htg & Air Conditioning (574) 203-2492 trustcolliers.com

Waterloo Gibson’s Htg & Plbg, Inc. (888) 754-1668 gibsonsgeothermal.com

Westfield Precision Comfort Systems, Inc. (317) 867-2665 precisioncomfort.com

West Lafayette Blue Fox Htg & Clg (765) 252-0051 bluefoxhvac.com

from the editor

A football dream come true

Almost two months ago, I had the wildest dream that Indiana University won the national championship in football. I gradually realized that this was not a dream but a strange alternate reality we’re living in.

If you’re a Purdue fan, I know you’re probably tired of hearing about this by now, but please give me some grace; this might be a once-in-a-lifetime chance to revel in a win like this.

I grew up an IU basketball fan, just like most of my friends. IU football, not so much. When I attended IU, you were required to buy football season tickets to get basketball tickets. My friends and I would tailgate during the first half, slip into the stadium in the third quarter, and head out by the time the fourth quarter started.

But then, two years ago, this guy named Curt Cignetti showed up. Although his confident, “Google me, I win,” is now the stuff of legend, the first reaction most fans had was “Sure you will, sugar,” and an imaginary pat on the head. We thought it couldn’t be done.

But this team, led by Fernado Mendoza, whom I have heard described as “a golden retriever playing quarterback,” not only won but also took the whole dang thing. When IU won the Big Ten Title, I didn’t even cheer. I just sat there in shock. On Jan. 19, when IU won the national championship, there were some tears, but also a feeling of complete unreality about the whole situation.

Will this championship run mark the start of a new winning legacy? If you ask Cignetti, he would say it is, but I am less convinced. If I’ve learned anything in my three-plus decades on this earth, it’s that miracles like this usually don’t happen twice. I hope I’m wrong.

Are you an IU fan who is still riding on the high on this magical run? Send me your football memories and predictions for next season at bdavis@indianaec.org

Britt Davis

Editor bdavis@indianaec.org

On the menu: June: Submit your favorite salad recipes, deadline April 1. If we publish your recipe on our food pages, we’ll send you a $10 gift card.

Giveaway: Enter to win a family four pack of admission passes, courtesy of the Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites. Visit indianaconnection.org/talk-to-us/ contests or send your contact information to the address below. The deadline to enter is March 31.

Three ways to contact us: To send us recipes, photos, letters and entries for gift drawings, please use the forms on our website indianaconnection.org; email info@indianaconnection.org; or send to Indiana Connection, 11805 Pennsylvania Street, Carmel, IN 46032.

VOLUME 75 • NUMBER 9 ISSN 0745-4651 • USPS 262-340

Published monthly by Indiana Electric Cooperatives

Indiana Connection is for and about members of Indiana’s locally-owned, not-for-profit electric cooperatives. It helps consumers use electricity safely and efficiently; understand energy issues; connect with their co-op; and celebrate life in Indiana. Over 320,000 residents and businesses receive the magazine as part of their electric co-op membership. The average printed and mailed cost per issue is 54 cents.

CONTACT US: 11805 Pennsylvania Street Carmel, IN 46032

317-487-2220

info@indianaconnection.org IndianaConnection.org

INDIANA ELECTRIC COOPERATIVES OFFICERS: Dr. Richard Leeper President

Jamey Marcum Vice President

Melissa Menchhofer Secretary/Treasurer

John Cassady CEO

EDITORIAL STAFF:

Britt Davis Editor

Mandy Barth Vice President of Communication

Lauren Carman Communication Manager

Ashley Curry Production and Design Coordinator

Holly Huffman Communication Support Specialist

Amber Knight Creative Manager

Kiley Lipps Graphic Designer

ADVERTISING:

American MainStreet Publications Cheryl Solomon, local ad representative; 512-441-5200; amp.coop

Paid advertisements are not endorsements by any electric cooperative or this publication.

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Indiana Connection does not use unsolicited freelance manuscripts or photographs and assumes no responsibility for the safekeeping or return of unsolicited material.

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If you receive Indiana Connection through your electric co-op membership, report address changes to your local co-op.

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Periodicals postage paid at Indianapolis, Indiana, and at additional mailing offices.

POSTMASTER:

Send change of address to: Indiana Connection, 11805 Pennsylvania Street, Carmel, IN 46032. Include key number.

No portion of Indiana Connection may be reproduced without permission of the editor.

www.duboisrec.com

CONTACT US

Office: 812-482-5454

Billing Dept.: 812-482-1664

Operations Dept.: 812-482-1188

After Hours: 812-482-5455

Fax: 812-482-7015

CEO AND GENERAL MANAGER

Joe Henson

OFFICE HOURS

7 a.m.–4 p.m., Monday-Friday

7 a.m.–3:30 p.m. for Line Dept.

STREET ADDRESS 1400 Energy Drive Jasper, IN 47546

MAILING ADDRESS

P.O. Box 610 Jasper, IN 47547-0610

EMERGENCY POWER OUTAGES

To report service interruptions, call: 812-482-5454 (during regular hours) or 812-482-5455 (after hours) day or night. Please have your account number ready when reporting outages.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Brad Knies, President

Richard A. Wendholt, Vice President

Randall L. Stemle, Secretary-Treasurer

Mark Montgomery

Andy Schwenk

Steve Speedy

David Rudolph

KEY STAFF

Craig Adams Manager of Finance

Matt Brames Manager of Engineering

Greg Dilger

Engineering Project Manager

Ruth Hopf

Billing Supervisor

Patrick Lichlyter Manager of Operations

CUSTOMER SERVICES

Budget billing

SmartHub Pay by phone 24/7 Drive-thru window

Night depository Medical account watch

Tree Trimming Improves Service for All

At Dubois REC we strive to balance maintaining beautiful surroundings and ensuring a reliable power supply by keeping power lines clear in rights-ofway (ROW).

A right-of-way is the land we use to construct, maintain, replace or repair underground and overhead power lines. Rights-of-way enable the co-op to provide clearance from trees and other obstructions that could hinder the power line installation, maintenance or operation. ROW areas are typically on public lands or located near a business or home. Regardless, Dubois REC must be able to maintain the power lines above and below the ROW. The overall goal of our vegetation management program is to provide reliable power to our members while maintaining the beauty of our community. Proactive vegetation management benefits co-op members in three tangible ways.

Safety: First and foremost, we care about our members and put their safety, and that of our lineworkers, above all else. Overgrown vegetation and trees pose a risk to power lines. For example, if trees are touching power lines in our members’ yards, they can pose grave danger to families. If children can access those trees, they can potentially climb into a danger zone. Electricity can arc, or jump, from a power line to a nearby conductor like a tree. A proactive approach also diminishes the chances of fallen branches or trees during severe weather events that make it more complicated and dangerous for lineworkers to restore power.

Reliability: Of course, one of the biggest benefits of a smart vegetation management program is reliability. Strategic tree trimming reduces the frequency of downed lines causing power outages. Generally speaking, healthy trees don’t fall on power lines, and clear lines don’t cause problems. Proactive trimming and pruning keeps lines clear to promote reliability.

We have a detailed vegetation management plan to maximize the efficiency of our operation. This includes trimming trees and clearing vegetation 20 feet on each side of power lines, from earth to sky. (See

the ROW diagram on the next page.)

We contract with Townsend Tree Service for vegetation management and tree trimming. As part of our routine right-of-way maintenance, our crews will remove vegetation and clear areas around power lines to help ensure safe and reliable electric service. When this work falls within the normal scope of our clearing program, crews will chip or mulch the debris on site and take care to minimize any impact to your yard or property. Larger pieces of wood will be left for the property owner.

If a property owner contacts us to request the removal of a tree they believe may be hazardous, or if our team identifies a tree that poses a risk to the electrical system, we will remove the tree. However, in these cases, the property owner is responsible for cleaning up the resulting debris.

Please note that during the spring storm season in Indiana, there is often a high volume of tree and limb damage. While our crews work as quickly and safely as possible, clean-up following widespread storm damage may take up to one to two weeks to complete.

We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to keep your service safe and reliable.

Affordability: On a final note, as you know, Dubois REC is a non-profit cooperative, and that means we strive to keep our costs in check in order to keep our rates affordable. This extends to our approach to vegetation management. If trees grow too close to power lines, the potential for expensive repairs also increases. Overgrown right-of-way is also harder on our equipment. Effective tree trimming and other vegetation management efforts keep costs down for everyone. If you have any questions about our right-of-way trimming plan, please contact our office at 812-4821188.

JOE HENSON CEO and General Manager

Rate schedule

Service charge

Single-phase

$35.50

Three-phase $47

Energy charge

The first 500 kWh at .......................$.10522/kWh

The next 2,500 kWh at $.09772/kWh

All remaining kWh at $.09462/kWh

Power cost tracker

All rate classes

All kWh at $0..00922/kWh

Security light

If you have a security light, add:

175-watt mercury vapor...................

100-watt sodium vapor

100-watt metal halide

70-watt LED

$8.32/month

$7.50/month

$8.75/month

$7.50/month

Electric bills due by the 20th of each month.

Members who pay by the 15th, or pay their bill by auto draft, will be entered in the monthly drawing for a $50 bill credit.

Visit duboisrec.com for easy ways to pay your electric bill online.

The

easiest way to win a

$50 bill credit

NEW WINNER EACH MONTH!

It’s easy to enter our monthly $50 drawing! All Dubois REC members who pay their bill by the 15th of the month, using any payment option, will be automatically entered in the $50 monthly drawing. Members who pay by ACH/bank draft and recurring payments are also automatically included in the drawing. (Delinquent payments are not eligible.)

The winner will be notified, and their name will be published here.

JANUARY’S WINNER: Leah A. Birk, Birdseye Dubois REC Right-Of-Way (ROW) Trimming Specifications.

Save the date!

April 7, 2026 • Dubois REC Annual Meeting

Huntingburg Event Center • 200 W. 14th St., Huntingburg

Doors open at 5 p.m., Bingo from 6-7 p.m., Business Meeting at 7 p.m. with prize drawing to follow. Free refreshments and door prizes for all in attendance. Watch DuboisREC.com and our Facebook page for more details.

2026 DIRECTOR CANDIDATES:

District 3 — Mark Montgomery

District 4 — David Rudolph

District 6 — Steven Speedy

Follow our Facebook page to get more info and details about the Annual Meeting.

IMPORTANT INFO FOR MEMBERS:

• Daylight saving time starts March 8. “Spring forward” and move your clocks one hour ahead! (This is also a great time to check and replace the batteries in our smoke detectors.)

• If your email address, mailing address or phone number has changed, update your Dubois REC account info easily through Smart Hub. Find the app in the Google Play store or at our website, duboisrec.com.

• Pick up a free copy of the 2026 Farmers’ Almanac, 2026 Student Art Calendar, and 2026 Festival Guide. Use our drivethrough for easy and quick pick up, while supplies last.

• Holiday closing: Dubois REC will be closed April 3 as we celebrate Good Friday.

WATCH YOUR MAIL!

Official Annual Meeting Notices will be mailed this month.

Sign up now for budget billing

The budget billing program offered by Dubois REC is a method of equalizing electric bill payments over a one-year period.

The program makes it easier for members to budget, with 11 months of electric bills being the same. Budget billing does not reduce the annual cost of electricity and is for residential accounts.

The plan starts with the bill sent in June. The bill for May of the following year is adjusted for the difference between charges and actual use. If a balance is due on the May billing, the

entire amount is due at that time. If there is a credit balance on the May billing, the account will be credited for that amount.

Members must reside in our service area for at least 12 months to be eligible for this program.

If you are interested in the budget billing program, call Debbie at 812482-5454 and give your name and account number or drop us a note. We will contact you by letter and provide you with the details of the program. Deadline for budget billing applications is April 15.

As a duly authorized check signer on the financial institution account identified below, I authorize Dubois Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. to draw monthly drafts on my bank account as listed below for the payment of my monthly electric bill. I understand that I can discontinue my participation by notifying Dubois REC in writing. I understand that Dubois REC reserves the right to limit participation to customers whose accounts are in good standing, and reserves the right to discontinue this agreement.

Furthermore, if any such electronic debit(s) should be returned by my financial institution as inactive, closed, or Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF), I authorize, Dubois REC to collect a returned check fee as set forth in Dubois REC’s non-recurring charges in effect at the

time, and that my utility account shall be considered unpaid on the due date and may be subject to termination of utility service if my account remains unpaid.

For accounting purposes, all electronic debits will be reflected in the monthly bank statement that corresponds with the financial institution account identified below.

I understand and authorize all of the above as evidenced by my signature below.

AUTHORIZING SIGNATURE:

DATE: _______________

If you wish to enroll in ACH, please complete this form and return with your next payment

Dubois REC Account Information Financial Account Information

Dubois REC Account Name:

Street Address:

City, State, ZIP code:

Phone:

All Dubois REC Account Numbers:

Name of Financial Institution:

Checking or Savings:

City, State, ZIP code:

*Routing #:

*Bank Account #:

*The Routing Number - This is the 9-digit Transit/ABA Bank Routing Number

*The Bank Account Number is usually to the right of the Routing Number. (Some financial institutions add the check number between the Routing and Account numbers, or after the Account number.)

• There are no additional fees or charges for using this convenient service.

• You will be automatically entered in the $50 monthly drawing if enrolled in ACH.

• You will still receive a statement each month indicating the amount deducted from your account.

• If the 20th falls on a weekend or holiday, the next business day will be used.

YOUR COMMUNITY’S SILENT PARTNER:

Electric cooperatives team with businesses to make sure they thrive

You may not think twice when you stroll into work and flip on the light switch to start your day.

Your boss thinks about it more. So does everyone at your local electric cooperative.

Your energy needs are constantly at the forefront of our work. We make sure that everyone in the community — the families, farms, schools, and businesses on our lines — has the electricity they need to power their day. For many businesses, that is easier said than done. Agribusinesses, manufacturers, life-science facilities, offices, and more each have unique power needs.

Electric cooperatives support and foster economic development. This is engrained in our culture: we are consumer-owned organizations dedicated to serving our communities. We work with local officials to recruit and retain local businesses.

Sometimes that includes companies moving to or opening a new local facility.

Yet most economic development comes from supporting key accounts, which are established local businesses in our communities. If local businesses are doing well, that means that the region’s economy, families, and other organizations benefit also. We regularly meet with business leaders to help them plan growth, address challenges, and provide support to meet their energy goals while minimizing costs.

After all, local businesses are the lifeblood of a community: they create jobs and contribute to the tax base. That, in turn, means continued growth and further investment in the vibrant communities where we live and work. Electric co-ops also partner with local and regional economic development officials to create incentive packages

that help make Indiana towns and cities attractive for major investment, recruiting new businesses to the communities we serve.

We are committed to successful business recruitment and retention by supporting local corporations to thrive. This is just one way that electric cooperatives embody the cooperative principles and invest in the communities we serve.

by Brian Hawk Energy Advisor Noble REMC

VITAL FARMS FAMILY JOIN THE

At Vital Farms, we’re on a mission to bring ethical food to the table. Help us further our mission by joining our network of farmers. All you need is at least 52 acres of land and a passion for animal welfare. We’ll set you up with a support crew and teach you everything you need to know. Visit vitalfarms.com/farmers to learn more!

OTHER FARMER PERKS

Enjoy life at home on the farm and build a lasting family operation for generations to come

Egg pricing escalates with actual feed costs

4-flock or 8-flock contract terms

Industry-leading support from a team of experts in pastured hens WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

QUESTIONS?

CALL (844) 494-VITAL

Become a steward of the land and preserve natural resources

Generate a steady income on land that may not be fit for other forms of agriculture

Utilize vacant paddocks for other livestock, e.g., cattle, sheep, and goats

SCAN to learn more or VISIT vitalfarms.com/farmers

county feature

Founded in 1844, Tipton County was one of the last counties to be formed in Indiana. With more than 163,000 acres devoted to farmland producing corn, soybeans, and hogs, the county remains rooted in the agricultural traditions that shaped it.

A SIZZLING TRADITION

Tipton County COUNTY FACTS

For 56 years, Tipton County has held its annual Pork Festival the weekend after Labor Day. Founders Margaret Hinkle, Nan Nash, Henrietta Larson, and Bobbie Kauffman were all married to pig farmers, and they would hand out pork recipes and cooked samples at local grocery stores. Hoping to promote pork in a more exciting way, they first considered a barbecue contest before launching a full festival with an art show, food stands, and pork displays. In its first year, the festival served 6,000 pounds of pork and used 20 gallons of barbecue sauce. Today, it attracts around 80,000 visitors and is known for its one-inch-thick pork chops, along with two parades, three pageants, a baby contest, and carnival rides.

OBAMA’S INDIANA ROOTS

The Dunham House is a 19th-century home in Kempton, Indiana, built by relatives of former President Barack Obama. Jacob Dunham, Obama’s fourth great-grandfather, originally settled the land where the house stands. In the 1880s, William Riley Dunham, Obama’s third great-uncle, built the house. After the Dunham family sold the property, it became the McMullan Funeral Home in the 1960s, which operated until 2000. Shawn Clements, an independent contractor who specializes in historic restorations, purchased the home in 2004. During his 2008 presidential nomination campaign, Obama and his family visited the Dunham House. Today, Clements hosts private tours of the historic home.

ROOKIE TO WORLD SERIES

Charles Benjamin “Babe” Adams, born in Tipton, Indiana, in 1882, was a Major League Baseball pitcher. After debuting with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1906, he then joined the Pittsburgh Pirates. Known for his excellent control, Adams finished with 194 wins and a 2.76 earned run average. Adams led the Pirates to the 1909 World Series title, winning all three games he pitched, and becoming the first rookie to start and win a Game 7. He was also the only member of the 1909 Pirates still on the roster when Pittsburgh won the World Series again in 1925.

By Nicole Thomas

FOUNDED: 1844

NAMED FOR: John Tipton, a soldier in the 1811 Battle of Tippecanoe

POPULATION: 15,359

COUNTY SEAT: Tipton

INDIANA COUNTY NUMBER: 80

OPEN YOUR HEART AND HOME TO HOOSIER CHILDREN

The Indiana Department of Child Services (DCS) needs loving, temporary homes across the state of Indiana for children of all ages — especially teens and sibling groups. DCS is looking for people who are willing to open their hearts and their homes to foster youth as they work toward safely reuniting with their families.

If you’ve ever thought about becoming a foster parent, please fill out an interest form at fostercare.dcs.in.gov/s/interest-form

Once you submit an interest form, A DCS regional foster care specialist will contact you and provide general introductory information about foster care, roles, and expectations, as well as licensing requirements, including training and an overview of the family preparation process.

For more information about becoming a foster parent, please visit in.gov/dcs/foster-care.

Marketplace

A FARM FRESH

Indiana eats grilling experience

By Chris Adam

A meal can sometimes change your life. Just ask Eliazabeth and Adam Stonecipher. They’re the faces behind a family-owned and -operated farm in Lafayette.

550 Wagyu offers its products online and at farmers markets and local events throughout Tippecanoe County and nearby areas. The mission is to educate and provide the American beef consumer with a unique, healthy, and delicious premium product for their family dinner table.

A PASSION FOR PREMIUM MEAT

Elizabeth’s father bought a Wagyu brisket online several years ago and put it on the smoker when preparing dinner for some special friends.

“It was unlike any meat-eating experience we had ever encountered and ignited our passion into beginning our research into producing a unique, premium quality product,” Elizabeth said. “Although we’ve raised and sold freezer Angus beef for several years, we have many friends who do the same thing and felt that we were competing with them in a sense.”

The Stoneciphers wanted something unique to differentiate themselves so that they could still support their friends’ businesses at the same time.

“Our American Wagyu cattle are fed a very unique and specialized diet that is developed by a nutritionist, and backed with significant research and experience within the Wagyu breed,”

she said. “Wagyu are unique to traditional American breeds, such as Angus, in that they take much longer to finish out and be ready to butcher at the most prime levels.”

Elizabeth said Angus cattle are typically ready at 14-18 months of age, whereas Wagyu must be fed to 24-30 months of age to get to superior levels of marbling. This means they must feed them expensive corn-fed diets for much longer, and combined with the rarity of the genetics, results in much higher costs to the farmer that, in turn, results in a more expensive product on your plate.

A COMMUNITY OF SUPPORT

“Our customers love the Wagyu ribeyes and filets,” Elizabeth said. “Those are two of the cuts that sell out the fastest and are always in high demand. Traditionally those two cuts seem to be a favorite among people regardless of breed. Of course, Wagyu makes the steaks that much more tender, rich, and flavorful.”

According to Elizabeth, they’ve had positive interactions with all of their customers, some great reviews, and several repeat customers.

“550 Wagyu supports our community through ‘Blessing Boxes’ during the holiday season and by donating to various causes such as schools and clubs,” she said. “We like to give back right in the community we live in.”

In times of economic uncertainty—when inflation rises, markets fluctuate, and long-term financial stability feels less predictable—many investors turn to gold as a dependable store of value. By holding a portion of your wealth in gold, you can help safeguard your portfolio and preserve long-term financial security, even when broader economic conditions are unclear.

Since 2015, gold has surged over 400% — outpacing both the S&P 500 and the Dow during the same period.

American Gold Reserve is releasing government-issued $5 Gold American Eagles completely free of dealer markup for only $529 each. These beautiful $5 Gold American Eagles are a perfect way to enter the gold market. Set for immediate public release, availability is limited and supplies are expected to sell out quickly.

Electrical safety on the farm during planting season

It’s planting season for many of Indiana’s 94,000 farmers. As fields are prepared and equipment is put to work, Indiana’s electric cooperatives remind farmers to keep electrical safety top of mind.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration, 62 farm workers are electrocuted each year in the United States. “Farm-related deaths and injuries from electricity can be prevented by following safety measures,” said John Cassady, CEO of Indiana Electric Cooperatives.

Farmers should remember the following safety practices this spring:

• Ensure farm equipment, such as planter arms and sprayers, is clear of overhead power lines. Maintain a minimum 10-foot distance from lines in all directions.

• Ask your cooperative about relocating overhead lines near buildings or high-use pathways. Consult your cooperative before new construction to learn about required clearances.

• Stay clear of utility poles and guy wires when operating machinery. If equipment damages a guy wire or pole, do not attempt to fix it yourself. Call your cooperative immediately.

• If equipment becomes entangled with power lines, call 911, keep others away, and remain on the equipment. If you must exit for life-threatening reasons, jump clear without touching the equipment and ground at the same time. Land with feet together and shuffle at least three tractor lengths away. Never re-enter or touch equipment in contact with a line.

• When planning a controlled burn, mow and clear vegetation at least 15 feet around poles and use fire retardant as directed. Do not apply retardant directly to poles. If a burn threatens poles or electrical equipment, call 911 immediately.

• Prevent fire and smoke from passing directly under power lines. Smoke contains carbon particles that conduct electricity, which can cause electrical discharges from the line to the ground. Avoid spraying water directly onto lines, as water conducts electricity.

Farmers can protect themselves, their workers, and their operations during this busy season by staying alert and taking precautions.

Use code WWC3H1 to get items 25-00882-1118, 25-01319-1118 for $9.99 and get free shipping on your order. Free shipping applies to standard shipping only, not including any additional shipping surcharges. Shipping upgrades additional. Does not apply to clearance. Discount is priced as marked in checkout. Not applicable to gift cards or prior purchases. May not be redeemed for cash or combined with other offers. Returns credited at discounted price. Only applies to in-stock merchandise. Expires 4/30/2026. Order by mail: Woman Within, 500 S. Mesa Hills Drive, El Paso, TX 79912

Simply nutty

4 cups old-fashioned oats

2 cups coarsely chopped nuts (your favorite dry roasted peanuts or pecans)

1 cup wheat germ

1 ⁄ 3 cup margarine

½ cup honey

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup raisins (optional)

Preheat oven to 300 F. Combine oats, nuts, and wheat germ in a large bowl. In another bowl, stir together the margarine, honey, and vanilla. Pour over the nut mixture and toss to coat thoroughly. Spread mixture over a cookie sheet. Bake for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until mixture is lightly browned. Remove from oven (mix in the raisins) and cool.

PREACHER'S CAKE Yvonne Bertke, St. Meinrad

CAKE

2 cups allpurpose flour

2 cups white sugar

1½ tsp baking soda

½ tsp salt

2 large eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 (20 oz.) can crushed pineapple with juice

2 ⁄ 3 cup chopped nuts

FROSTING

8 oz. softened cream cheese

1 stick (½ cup) softened butter

tsp vanilla extract

sugar ½ cup chopped nuts

Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease and flour the bottom of a 9x13-inch cake pan. Set aside. Whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. In a large mixing bowl, beat the eggs and vanilla until fully combined. Stir in pineapple and 2 ⁄ 3 cup nuts. Stir in the dry ingredients just until combined. Don’t overmix or the cake may get tough. Pour batter into the prepared pan and bake for 35 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. While the cake is baking, prepare the frosting by beating the cream cheese and butter together with the vanilla, powdered sugar, and salt. Cool cake for 10 minutes. Spread frosting over warm cake. Sprinkle with ½ cup nuts. Refrigerate leftovers.

SPICY CASHEW SHRIMP Staff Provided

1½ pounds medium or large shrimp, peeled and deveined

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

1 Tbsp cornstarch

2 Tbsp oyster sauce (such as Lee Kum Kee)

2 Tbsp canola oil

4 celery stalks, cut on a bias ¼-inch thick (2½ cups)

1 tsp finely grated garlic (from 2 cloves)

1 Tbsp finely grated ginger (from a 2-inch piece)

Pinch of red pepper flakes, plus more for serving

½ cup roasted cashews

Steamed rice, for serving

Pat shrimp dry with paper towels. Toss with ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp pepper. In a small bowl, whisk together cornstarch, oyster sauce, and ¾ cup water.

Heat a large skillet over high heat. Swirl in oil, then add shrimp in a single layer. Cook, undisturbed for 1 minute. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until almost cooked through, 1-2 minutes more. Add celery, garlic, ginger, and red pepper flakes. Cook, still stirring another minute. Add cornstarch mixture; stir until sauce thickens and coats shrimp and vegetables, about 1 minute more. Stir in cashews. Serve over rice, topped with more red pepper flakes. (Serves 4.)

nature NURTURING

Imagine dense northeast Indiana wetlands spanning 13,000 acres — 10 miles wide and two miles long — encompassing marshes, bottomland hardwood forest, and abundant wildlife ranging from bald eagles to giant moths. Gene Stratton-Porter, the state’s most famous female author back in the early 1900s, didn’t have to imagine it; she lived near it for 18 years and wrote about it. Known as the Limberlost Swamp, it straddled Adams and Jay counties and extended into Wells County.

Stratton-Porter considered it her playground, spending endless hours conducting field studies and snapping photographs of its various species of flora and fauna. Her work, and her

workplace, inspired nature books like “Moths of the Limberlost” and “Friends in Feathers,” and served as the setting for best-selling novels such as “A Girl of the Limberlost” and “Freckles.”

An environmentalist ahead of her time, she observed creatures in their natural habitat, refusing to adopt the lethal practice of “scientific collecting” — as with John James Audubon’s predilection for shooting the birds he planned to sketch.

But neither public officials nor public media shared her appreciation for Limberlost and its menagerie of inhabitants. In a typical take, the Cincinnati Enquirer in 1895 dismissed the area as “malaria-ridden” and “totally unfit for cultivation” with “stagnant, slime-covered pools.”

Despite Stratton-Porter’s best efforts to preserve her beloved swamp, contractors drained it, cut down the trees, and pumped out the oil beneath it until, by 1913, Limberlost was simply lost.

Yet Stratton-Porter’s influence continues to resonate more than a century after her death in 1924. The Izaak Walton League of America, a conservationist organization that she helped found two years earlier,

Gene Stratton-Porter’s preservationist efforts continue a century after her death

endures today with 40,000 members. Closer to home, the Gene StrattonPorter Historic Site on Sylvan Lake near Rome City — where she moved after the destruction of Limberlost — received national recognition last October with the induction of her cherished Wildflower Woods into the Old-Growth Forest Network as a community forest.

Nor has Limberlost been forgotten. A swamp restoration project that took root in the early 1990s now encompasses about 1,800 acres, including two nature preserves (Loblolly Marsh and Limberlost Swamp), a park, a bird sanctuary, and hiking trails. And her former home in Geneva, once located on the swamp’s edge, is now known as the Limberlost State Historic Site.

FROM EARLY LIFE TO ADVOCATING FOR WILDLIFE

Stratton-Porter’s success her books reached an estimated 50 million readers — surprised schoolmates who recalled her as a bright student who showed no particular interest in writing. Born Geneva Grace Stratton, she grew up near Lagro in Wabash County and didn’t even graduate continued on page 22

continued from page 21

from Wabash High School, leaving before the end of her senior year.

But maybe it was destiny that Stratton-Porter would make a living researching, photographing, and writing about wildlife. At the beginning of her book “Homing With the Birds,” she wrote, “Almost my first distinct memory is connected with a bird … I found a woodpecker lying on the grass beneath a cherry tree.” When her father explained that the bird had been shot for stealing cherries, she offered to stop eating them — “the birds may have mine” — if her dad would make sure no other woodpeckers were targeted. As she observed, “It is probable that this small sacrifice on my part set me to watching and thinking about the birds.”

Stratton-Porter married a local druggist, Charles Dorwin Porter, at the age of 22 — he was 13 years her senior — and in 1895 they moved to the edge of the Limberlost Swamp, ironically in the town of Geneva. It was during their courtship that he gave her the nickname “Gene.”

Her twin passions as a naturalist and a novelist might have seemed worlds apart. But as she explained in a

1904 Indianapolis Star story, her research on the nest of a black vulture in the Limberlost Swamp provided material for her book “Freckles.” And when her book sales caught fire, she negotiated with her publishers to produce one nature book for every novel she submitted.

As the Star wrote, “Stratton-Porter was an unusual sight with her trousered legs and high boots.” But it was necessary apparel in a forbidding environment that also prompted her to carry a gun for personal protection. “I have risked my life repeatedly for my work,” she told the Star. “The great public cannot tell by looking at a picture … that you had to wade several rods in muck to your knees, through swamp grass above your head, make the trip repeatedly, carry a heavy camera, use skill, patience, and great physical hardship to secure it. Then there are the dangers of quicksands, snakes, and of losing footing.”

As it happened, her passing in 1924 had nothing to do with wild creatures. She died of a skull fracture when her chauffeured Lincoln was struck by a Los Angeles streetcar.

So enduring was her popularity that in 1926, two years after her death, the Hoosier author was honored with the nationwide observance of Gene StrattonPorter Week, an honor previously afforded only one other American woman: Red Cross founder Clara Barton. Planned by her fans in cooperation with her publishers and movie producers, the event included the planting of 10,000 white pines in a section of the Adirondack Mountains that would henceforth be known as the Gene Stratton-Porter Memorial Forest. Yet even before the special week, tributes to the departed author had already been taking place regularly across the country. A New York wire story noted that “in an astonishing number of towns there are Gene Stratton-Porter Societies — little groups of her followers that get together to discuss her writings and revere her memory.”

Perhaps the best way to revere her memory was suggested by W.A. Guthrie, chairman of the Indiana Department of Conservation (the forerunner of today’s Department of Natural Resources), in his recollections of the time he visited the author at her Sylvan Lake property. “We saw the many kinds of flowers in her

continued on page 24

THE MYSTERY OF HOW LIMBERLOST GOT ITS NAME

Limberlost, as the story goes, owes its name to a nimble guy who got disoriented in the mucky, murky swamp.

The Indiana State Museum embraces this folktale. “The swamp received its name from Limber Jim, who got lost while hunting in the swamp. When the news spread, the cry went out: ‘Limber’s lost!’”

It’s a plausible explanation, but perhaps too tidy – since, like the kids’ game of telephone, the story changes nearly every time it’s recounted. For instance, in 1883 the Indianapolis Journal identified Limber Jim as “a tall, thin young fellow, Jim Miller” who went turkey hunting and got lost for three days.

Said a 1928 Indianapolis Star column: “The pioneer settlers decided to have a grand hunt of three days’ duration. At the end of the first day’s hunt, it was found that Jimmy McDowel was missing … Although only 16, Jim was over six feet tall and very slender.”

A 1922 Fort Wayne Journal-Gazette article said Limber Jim was James Worthington, son of a former Ohio governor. The directionally challenged Jim got lost hunting a way out of the wilderness. His associates found him several days later.

At least those versions had a happy ending. In 1925, the Decatur Daily Democrat said the many variations “all agree that a man by the name Limber Jim was drowned in its waters about one hundred years ago.”

In 1941, the WPA Writers’ Project produced a 500-page Indiana guide that mentioned a Limber Jim McDowell (2 Ls). The Hammond Times spelled his surname “McWowell” – presumably a typo. The Indianapolis Star said Limber Jim was “so known because of his dancing proclivities,” but his name was James Corbus.

A 2020 Smithsonian magazine article quipped that Corbus “either returned alive or died in the quicksand and quagmires, depending which version you hear. Nobody knows the true origin of the name.”

And maybe that’s the point. As the Terre Haute TribuneStar put it, “The naming of the place may well be the stuff of tall tales.”

continued from page 23

gardens, and I believe she had something near 7,000 varieties of plants native to Indiana … and I began to see what a great work she had done,” said Guthrie. “I cannot help thinking what coming generations will lose with her passing and how much effort we should make to carry on the work she has so well undertaken.”

A character in her novel, “A Girl of the Limberlost,” may have best expressed Stratton-Porter’s lifelong love of nature and her desire to share it with others: “We Limberlost people must not be selfish with the wonders God has given to us. We must share with those poor cooped-up city people the best we can.”

STRATTONPORTER’S BOOKS

Throughout her career, Gene StrattonPorter wrote 12 novels, seven nature books, two poetry books, children’s books, and several magazine articles. At the height of her popularity in the early 1910s, she had 50 million readers and was the most popular author in the country.

Of the only 55 books published between 1895 and 1945 that sold more than one million copies, Gene Stratton-Porter wrote five of them. Eight of her novels were adapted into movies, and her works have been translated into more than 20 languages, including Braille. Some of her movies, including “The Keeper of the Bees,” “Laddie,” and “Romance of the Limberlost” (based in part on “Girl of the Limberlost”) are available to watch on YouTube.

Among her most notable books:

• “The Song of the Cardinal,” 1903

• “Freckles,” 1904

• “What I Have with Birds,” 1907

• “A Girl of the Limberlost,” 1909

Her most recognized work, “A Girl of the Limberlost,” brought Stratton-Porter international fame.

• “Music of the Wild,” 1910

• “The Harvester,” 1911

• “Moths of the Limberlost,” 1912

• “Laddie: A True Blue Story,” 1913

• “Homing with the Birds,” 1919

• “The Keeper of the Bees,” 1925 Stratton-Porter’s last novel. It was published a year after her 1924 death.

For more information — and to plan your visits to — Gene Stratton-Porter’s historic sites and the Loblolly Marsh Nature Preserve, contact:

Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site

1205 Pleasant Point, Rome City, IN 46784 317-232-1637 | indianamuseum.org Admission charged. Tours included with admission.

Limberlost State Historic Site

200 Sixth St., Geneva, IN 46740 260-368-7428 | indianamuseum.org

The site is open Wednesdays-Sunday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Indoor tours can be booked online. Self-guided tours of the Limberlost Conservation Area Nature Preserves are available all day. Admission charged.

Loblolly Marsh Nature Preserve

8001-8499 N. 250 W., Bryant, IN 47326 260-368-7428 | limberlost.weebly.com

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The Indiana Historical Society has an extensive collection of Gene Stratton-Porter documents, letters, and photos available for public perusal at its William H.S. Smith Memorial Library. Among the collection is her correspondence with family members, her wedding invitation, telegrams sent after her death, and correspondence regarding the transfer of the Limberlost property to the state of Indiana. The collection can be viewed online at images.indianahistory.org

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EVENT GUIDE

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32ND ANNUAL INDIANA HERITAGE QUILT SHOW

MARCH 5-7

Bloomington | Bloomington Convention Center ihqs.org

View over 200 quilts, take a class from some of the top quilting instructors in the country, and browse through hundreds of fabrics and other sewing notions and accessories at the vendor area. Traveling quilt exhibits on-site. Admission charge.

JAY COUNTY FIBER ARTS FESTIVAL

MARCH 6-7

Portland | Jay County Fairgrounds fiberarts.visitjaycounty.com

Wood-carving demonstrations, hands-on classes, artist vendors, kids area, and food. Free will donation. Friday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

WINTER TRACTOR AND GAS ENGINE SHOW

MARCH 12-14

Auburn | Kruse Plaza wintertractorshow.com

Classic tractors, muscle tractors, a pedal pull contest, pancake breakfast, swap meet, toy show, craft show, trading post, and quilt show. Presented by Farm Power Club. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission charge.

ST. PATRICK’S CELEBRATION

MARCH 13-15

Ireland | Downtown stpatsirelandin.com

5k walk/run, parade, craft fair, Leprechaun Bingo Bash, kids' events, Cars & Coffee, Jeep Run, raffle drawings, food, and more.

MIDWEST MEOW FEST

MARCH 21

South Bend | Century Center info@catladycafesouthbend.com

Cat adoption, shopping, bingo, cat-style karaoke, and more. Guest speaker: Best-selling author and kitten advocate Hannah Shaw.

Scholarship recipients look forward to CAREERS AS LINEMEN

For Cody Case and Briar Houser, the latest recipients of Hoosier Energy’s Daniel L. Schuckman and W. Eugene Roberts memorial scholarships, becoming linemen not only provides them with career paths.

It’s about becoming part of a team.

That was the takeaway when they graduated from the North American Lineman Training Center in McEwen, Tennessee, this past December.

As a member of the football, baseball, and wrestling teams at North Central (Farmersburg) High School, Houser connected with being part of something bigger during his time at NALTC.

“The one big thing that stood out was the bond created among the guys and the teamwork that filled out the crew sessions,” he said. “I’ve played sports all my life, and I love that feeling. Somebody’s got your back. You aren’t

just doing a job on your own, but somebody is there with you.”

Growing up in Shelburn in WIN Energy REMC territory, Houser wasn’t really sure what he wanted to do for a career. But his senior year of high school came fast, and as an honor roll student, he was originally thinking of business school at a place like Indiana University or the University of Alabama. As he looked into the options, Houser was less sure of his choice.

He also participated in archery, and the coach of a neighboring team was a lineman. That prompted Houser to begin investigating the possibilities, quickly changing his thoughts on the future.

Case also changed his plans over the course of high school, initially planning to study wildlife biology. But after two years of high school, he realized the

prospect of another six-plus years in college was not appealing.

“I like to be out working with my hands and in the field,” he said.

Fortunately, he had a good example of what a career as a lineman could be in his older brother, Waylan, who was among the inaugural recipients of the Hoosier Energy scholarship in December 2021.

“Once I saw what my brother was doing, I realized that I wanted to do that too,” said Case, an avid hunter. “He taught me a few things, and I learned quickly. Now, instead of working in an office, I can spend time with wildlife on the weekends and do my hunting.”

He applied to NALTC early and was accepted midway through his senior year at Greensburg High School. When he began training, it was clear he made the right choice.

DON’T WAIT

ON POISON HEMLOCK CONTROL!

Over the past few years, everyone seems to be talking about poison hemlock. This invasive and noxious weed is so problematic that in 2022 the Dubois County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) and the Dubois County Weed Board even partnered together on a poison hemlock outreach campaign that included educational videos, ads, public service announcements, and mailings to Dubois County landowners. And they plan to continue this outreach with the hope that landowners don’t let up when it comes to getting poison hemlock under control.

You’ve probably seen poison hemlock (Conium maculatum) on the sides of the roads, field edges, and creeks. It is classified as an invasive plant and a noxious weed, in part because it is highly toxic to humans and livestock if ingested. The rapid spread of this noxious weed in the area has shown that more landowners need to be aware of this threat, and the right way to deal with it.

Poison hemlock is a biennial, meaning it only lives for two years before producing seed and dying. The only way to eliminate infestations is to prevent that seed production. Hemlock plants start as a short basal rosette with fern-like leaves. Then, in their second year of life, plants will send up a flowering stem, also called bolting, in spring/early summer (around May/June in southern Indiana). These flowering plants can be quite large, anywhere from three to 10 feet tall.

Because hemlock is in the carrot family, it produces abundant umbrella-shaped clusters of white flowers, often compared to the flowers of Queen Anne’s Lace, aka wild carrot. To help distinguish the plants, remember that hemlock blooms before Queen Anne’s Lace, lacks any hairs on its stems/leaves (a common feature of Queen Anne’s Lace), and has distinctive purple splotches on its stems and often the base of large leaves as well.

Hemlock needs to be controlled earlier in the year before plants even flower.

Poison hemlock must be controlled BEFORE flowering. Learn more about this noxious weed at duboisswcd.org.

There are a few options to control poison hemlock, so long as plants are allowed to flower and produce see. In fact, hemlock seeds have a very short duration in the soil, and many populations can be eradicated with just a few years of effective treatments (a short timeframe for most weed control). Small populations can be removed by hand, either digging the plants up or severing the root with a sharp shovel (wear gloves to avoid contact with plant toxins). Cutting/mowing the plants is NOT effective unless repeated regularly through the summer as plants will resprout readily. In fact, mowing after plants have produced seed is one way infestations have spread through the area.

Herbicides are the most efficient way to control large areas, and several chemicals are effective, including glyphosate, or triclopyr and 2,4-D products (which unlike glyphosate have the benefit of not harming grasses). All of these options also are available in aquatic safe formulations for use near open water creeks and ditches. Whatever product you choose, make sure to read and follow all label directions.

The distinctive purple splotches on the stem can help identify poison hemlock plants.

Spring planting is a busy time for everyone, so why not avoid that and spray your hemlock plants in February or March instead? The earlier you can spray hemlock, the better! The hemlock rosettes are green that time of year, plus the plants are smaller so you’ll use less herbicide. For best results, spray on days above 50 F.

Wait longer and you may run into problems. As hemlock plants start bolting and prepare to flower, they also get harder to kill. If herbicide rates aren’t increased when spraying these plants, they may only be knocked back or stunted temporarily. And according to Kenny Eck with Purdue Extension Dubois County, once they flower there is no point in spraying them.

“Spraying a flowering hemlock plant is just a revenge killing. It makes you feel good, but it does nothing to control it as it will still go to seed.” says Eck. He recommends checking out options in the Purdue Extension/SICWMA publication “Poison Hemlock.” This publication, along with more resources on identifying and controlling hemlock, is available at duboisswcd.org

Looking for support or technical assistance in controlling Poison hemlock? Try contacting your local Soil and Water Conservation District (iaswcd.org/ contact-your-local-swcd/). Several area SWCS’s have an invasive species or resource specialist that can provide free site visits and technical assistance about poison hemlock control. This year, Dubois County landowners involved in livestock production may also be eligible for funding to control of poison hemlock and other noxious weeds. For details, call 812-482-1171, extension 3, or email duboisswcd@gmail.com.

Bring spring’s beauty indoors

The urge to go outside and pick a few spring flowers is strong as we move away from winter.

Some people are reluctant to cut spring bulbs because it removes a lot of color from the landscape. Wanting to cut spring flowers for indoor enjoyment is as good a reason as any to throw a few more tulips and daffodils in the ground every fall.

The aforementioned tulips and daffodils are the most popular bulbs to be planted. When planting them, select varieties that bloom early, midor late season. Not only does this extend beauty in the landscape, but it also provides more opportunities to bring that beauty indoors.

Look for unopened flowers

With tulips, daffodils, and other spring bulbs, cut the flowers while the buds are formed but tightly closed. Snipping flowers before they fully open extends their life in a vase.

Mornings are the best time to cut flowers. Be sure to cut only the flower stem. The plant’s leaves need to stay attached until they turn yellow, brown, and fall flat. This allows the leaves to replenish the underground bulbs for next year’s flowers.

Make the cut at a 45-degree angle. The stem’s angle provides more surface for water uptake. Stems sitting flat on the bottom of the vase have limited water uptake. Remove any leaves attached to the stem.

It’s alive!

Tulips have an interesting growing habit. In the vase, the flower opens during the day and closes at night. Tulips also continue to grow or stretch toward the light, even when cut and in the vase.

When cutting spring bulbs we must contend with killer daffodils. Gardeners already know daffodils are toxic to animals, which is why they rarely bother the bulbs or the flowers.

Killer sap

Daffodils emit a toxic sap called mucilage which can clog the stems of companion plants, preventing them from taking up water. Avoid this by changing the water in a vase of mixed flowers every day.

Or, when the daffodils are first cut, place the stems in cool water overnight. This draws the mucilage out. The next morning, discard the water and rinse the stems of the daffodils. Add the daffodils to your vase of mixed flowers.

Place the vase in a cool area away from direct sun or heat. Change water every few days. As a stem begins to die, pull it from the vase, recut the remaining stems and refresh the water. Be sure to take a whiff. Many tulips and daffodils are fragrant.

Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp, a member of Garden Communicators International, blogs at hoosiergardener.com