Harrison REMC - February 2026 Indiana Connection

INDIANA’S FORGOTTEN wetlands

Uncovering the history of the swamps that shaped our past

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

Our new addition

If you read my column regularly, you know that I often talk about my family, especially my daughter, Gwen. On Dec. 29, Gwen became a big sister. Nolan Robert Davis, named after my grandfather, was born three weeks early, weighing a hearty 8 pounds.

I have to say, his early arrival caught me off guard. Whenever you’re having a baby, you may secretly hope they will come as early as possible, as long as they’re healthy, but they often prefer to stay past your hopeful eviction date. I am a type-A planner through and through, so I would have liked Nolan to stay put a little longer, but babies (and kids, for that matter) do what they want.

So far, Gwen has mostly ignored him but occasionally gives him a toy or sings him a song. By the time you read this, it will have been a couple of months since his arrival. Hopefully, she will like him more by then.

I admit to feeling a little concerned about the sibling dynamics. I’m an only child, so I never had to experience the addition of a sibling I didn’t ask for, but my husband, Brooks, is the oldest of four and assures me that Gwen will adjust just fine.

The year 2026 began differently than I expected, but it’s no less wonderful than I had planned. I also hear our surprise 2025 baby is great for our taxes. I hope your year is off to a great start and you’re looking forward to whatever 2026 brings.

Britt Davis Editor bdavis@indianaec.org

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

Giveaway: Enter to win a reader’s gift set for your book nook. Visit indianaconnection.org/talk-to-us/contests or send your contact information to the address below. The deadline to enter is Feb. 28.

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 8 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.

UNSOLICITED MATERIAL:

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

SUBSCRIPTIONS:

$12 for individuals not subscribing through participating REMCs/RECs.

CHANGE OF ADDRESS:

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

POSTAGE:

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.

for the perfect book nook

Indiana’s former wetlands once teemed with life and provided a refuge for those using the Underground Railroad. Now largely transformed into farmland and urban development, these areas reflect a forgotten natural landscape integral to Indiana’s past. Learn more in this month’s cover feature.

www.harrisonremc.com

CONTACT US

812-738-4115

812-951-2323

Fax: 812-738-2378

EMAIL

Click on “Contact Us” at www.harrisonremc.com.

OFFICE HOURS

7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday

DRIVE-THRU WINDOW HOURS

CURRENTLY CLOSED, DROP BOX AVAILABLE

LOBBY HOURS

7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m, Monday–Friday

STREET ADDRESS

1165 Old Forest Road, Corydon, IN 47112

MAILING ADDRESS

P.O. Box 517, Corydon, IN 47112

SERVICE INTERRUPTIONS

To report a power outage, please call 812-738-4115 or 812-951-2323.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

David Poe (Floyds Knobs), President

Darin Duncan (Elizabeth), Vice President

Craig Engleman (Corydon), Secretary/Treasurer

Pat Book (Palmyra)

Leah Huber (Borden)

David Walther (Lanesville)

C. Todd Uhl (Corydon)

Danny Wiseman (Mauckport) Roy Zimmerman (Laconia)

DRIVE-THRU

TEMPORARILY CLOSED

The Harrison REMC drive-thru will be temporarily closed for payments beginning Aug. 1 due to remodeling.

We apologize for the inconvenience and want to remind members that a secure payment drop box is available at the front of our office.

Additionally, we offer multiple ways to pay your bill, including online, by phone, through our mobile app, or by mail. Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

HARRISON REMC BOARD

Neighbors serving neighbors

Local decisions matter, especially when they affect your neighbors and something as essential as electricity. At Harrison REMC, a notfor-profit, member-owned electric cooperative, decisions are guided by a nine-member board of directors from throughout the communities the cooperative serves. They set policies, approve budgets, establish rates, and guide longterm infrastructure investments, among other responsibilities. And they experience the same storms, depend on the same power, and share the same expectations for safe, reliable electric service as the rest of the membership — because they are your neighbors.

LEADERSHIP ROOTED IN THE COMMUNITY

Dave Poe, a Harrison REMC board director and current chairman, has served on the board for 17 years. With experience as a small business owner and in construction, Poe brings a strong sense of community responsibility to his role.

“Living in the community lets you see how your decisions affect

your members,” Poe says. “Board decisions not only determine the rates members pay, but they can also influence economic development and help improve quality of life. Providing electricity for everyone is not a luxury — it’s a necessity in the modern world.”

For Poe, the most important factor in any major decision is understanding how it will impact the cooperative and its members both now and in the future.

“Our board responsibilities require us to ensure the co-op can provide electricity and other services not just next year, but for the next 20 to 30 years or longer,” he says.

Through policy guidance and oversight, directors support a strong safety culture designed to protect both employees and the public.

“Our entire board understands how important it is to make Harrison REMC a safe place to work,” Poe says. “We want a workplace where employees feel supported and have opportunities to grow and advance.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 6

co-op news

DISTRICT 1: Dave Poe

PRESIDENT DISTRICT 2: Pat Book

DISTRICT 3: Leah Huber

DISTRICT 4: David Walther DISTRICT 5: Darin Duncan

VICE PRESIDENT

DISTRICT 6: Craig Engleman

SECRETARY/ TREASURER

DISTRICT 7: C. Todd Uhl

DISTRICT 8: Danny Wiseman

DISTRICT 9: Roy Zimmerman

CONTINUED FROM PAGE 5

Board members work to ensure crews have the training, equipment, and support needed to perform their jobs safely and return home to their families each day.

WHAT IT TAKES TO SERVE

Serving on the board of directors requires a significant commitment of time and ongoing education. Board members must understand the electric utility business, financial oversight, governance practices, and regulatory requirements. As technology evolves and the energy industry continues to change, continued commitment to education is essential.

“What was surprising for me, and I think for any member wanting to serve on the board, was how much there is to learn before you feel like you are becoming knowledgeable enough to make intelligent decisions,” says Poe. “Being a board member has required much more time and effort than I thought it would in the beginning.”

Directors regularly participate in training through Indiana Electric Cooperatives and the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association.

For Poe, some of the most valuable learning experiences come from sharing classrooms and conversations with directors from other cooperatives. Hearing how others have addressed challenges or proactively solved potential issues often proves just as informative as the formal curriculum.

A NEW VOICE IN THE BOARD ROOM

Joining the board more recently is Leah Huber, who started on the board in May 2025. Huber brings a strong financial background and a personal connection to cooperative service. She has education and experience in accounting and finance — and a family legacy of board involvement through her grandmother, Lucille Missi, who served for 20 years.

“My background in accounting and finance helped me quickly understand the cooperative’s financial position,” Huber says. “Now, I’m prioritizing additional training specific to the electric cooperative model. Through these educational opportunities, directors like me gain the tools and knowledge they need to serve the community effectively.”

Through strategic guidance and strong local representation, the board helps ensure the cooperative remains ready to serve its members — now and in the future.

“The board has a responsibility to future members; it must ensure our co-op remains in a strong and sustainable position,” Huber says. “We also have a responsibility to make sure those members have the overall education needed to understand what a co-op is, how co-ops serve the community and how they, as a member, play a part.”

DAVID LETT CEO

Get smart, get connected!

Save money and energy with Harrison REMC's new Connect to Save program

Nearly every home appliance now has a smart Wi-Fi-enabled counterpart. While smart trash cans and refrigerators have varying degrees of usefulness, one feature of your home — your thermostat — can save you money by becoming smarter.

The lion’s share of the energy used in your home likely comes from a handful of appliances, chief among them being your heating, ventilation and air conditioning, or HVAC, system. When temperatures outside reach their highest and lowest, your HVAC system requires more energy to maintain a stable indoor temperature. This can lead to an energy rush hour called “peak demand,” which on occasion could require your cooperative to purchase more power than anticipated, and potentially cause an increase in rates on your power bill — and no one wants that.

Connect to Save, an innovative new program from Harrison REMC, has you covered! By enrolling in Connect to Save, members give the cooperative limited access to remotely adjust certain smart devices, like smart thermostats when demand for power is expected to hit a peak.

How does Connect to Save work?

Participating members will receive a notification in advance of an adjustment. Then, using a Wi-Fi connection, the cooperative will slightly adjust the temperature on your thermostat. The temperature will never change by more than 4 degrees and never for longer than four hours.

However, participating members retain control of their devices. You can always adjust the thermostat yourself, and Harrison REMC won’t adjust it again until the next event.

The best part: Participating members will receive $75 per enrolled device!*

To learn more and to apply for Connect to Save, visit harrisonremc.com

*Terms and conditions apply.

MEMBER SPOTLIGHT

Sam’s Food & Spirits

LOCATION:

702 Highlander Point Drive, Floyds Knobs, IN 47119

BUSINESS HOURS:

MON. – THURS. 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.

FRI. 11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m.

SAT. 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.

OWNER: Chris King

COO: Sam Anderson

IN BUSINESS SINCE: 1985

HIGHLIGHTS:

• Vast menu provides dining options for everyone.

• Catering options available for pickup and delivery.

APPLY FOR youth programs

Each year, Harrison REMC is excited to shine a spotlight on our youth programs and the community members who participate in them.

Harrison REMC sponsors programs to help middle and high school students learn more about energy, the cooperative business model, history, government, and much more. Below are the youth programs offered. Please go to harrisonremc.com to apply or learn more.

Indiana Youth Tour

Indiana’s electric cooperatives sponsor a week-long, allinclusive trip to Washington, D.C. Next year, the trip will take place from June 14 to 21. It is open to current high school juniors whose parents/guardians are served by Harrison REMC. This trip includes visits to historic sites, meetings with Indiana congressional leaders, and a youth event featuring other students from around the country. Scan the QR code to apply. The deadline is Feb. 13.

Cooperative Student Art Contest

Indiana Electric Cooperatives invites K-12 students across the state to showcase their creativity in the Cooperative Student Art Contest! Winners will receive cash prizes and have their artwork celebrated across the state. Whether you love painting, drawing, or mixed media, this is your chance to let your imagination shine! Scan the QR code to apply. The deadline is Feb. 27.

Harrison REMC scholarship

Harrison REMC offers a $1,500 scholarship to one student from each participating high school each year. This scholarship is open to high school seniors whose parents/guardians are served by Harrison REMC. Applicants must attend full-time (12 credit hours) for the fall 2026 semester. They must also attend a college or university located within the Indiana counties of Clark, Floyd, or Harrison, as well as Jefferson County in Kentucky. Scan the QR code to apply. Applications must be postmarked by March 27.

Camp Kilowatt

Camp Kilowatt will be held July 26 to 29 at Happy Hollow Children’s Camp in Nashville, Indiana. Students currently in sixth grade, whose parents/guardians are served by Harrison REMC, are eligible to apply. The camp offers traditional outdoor activities, environmental education, electrical safety practices, and cooperative business education. Applications open Jan. 23. Scan the QR code to apply. The deadline is May 1.

ENERGY EFFICIENCY: NOT JUST FOR HOMES

How a business can slash electricity costs

Think “energy efficiency” and what comes to mind? Often, it’s home improvements that can slash electricity use and costs.

However, often overlooked but no less important are the many ways that a business can save energy — and maximize its investments.

It can start with something as simple as lighting upgrades. Whether it’s switching to LED lighting or installing smart lighting controls, rebates and incentives are available.

Rebates are also available on Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) for motors and pumps. Examples include HVAC supply and return fans, cooling tower fans, water pumps, and compressors. These rebates vary.

Some are based only on the VFD itself, while others might offer the option to include installation, auxiliary devices, and other costs. Though some of these rebates may require an application to be filled out prior to the project being started, others can be applied for upon completion.

Weather sealing and insulation improvements can help with heating and cooling efficiency.

Check with your local cooperative, as well as the manufacturer of the item being upgraded, to understand all the available rebate options, in addition to potential tax credits.

The Indiana Office of Energy Development (OED) also offers a number of loans and grants to businesses, which make energy efficiency upgrades more affordable.

There are also incentives available in conjunction with economic development groups, allowing businesses to optimize rates.

The next level of business incentives comes with distributed generation and distributed energy resources (DERs). This can include solar panels, wind turbines, battery storage, microgrids, and combined heat/power systems.

DERs often require a significant initial investment, so incentives such as tax credits, rebates, grants, and subsidies make this more financially appealing. Whatever form these financial incentives take, they can help encourage businesses to invest in energy efficiency upgrades. This not only helps a business’ bottom line, but it also reduces the local energy provider’s load. That ensures consumers like you can continue to have access to safe, reliable electricity.

by Carey Wade Senior Billing, MSR, and Key Accounts Coordinator Daviess-Martin County REMC

With more than 85,000 acres of farmland, Blackford County has 72,000 acres devoted to soybeans and corn. The remaining land is used to grow wheat, hay, and oats, and supports over 24,000 hogs and pigs.

Blackford County COUNTY FACTS

STANDING TALL IN MONTPELIER

The “Miami Indian” is a 25-foot fiberglass statue in Montpelier, Indiana, known for its appearance in the opening credits of the TV show “Parks and Recreation.” The statue was first installed at a Pontiac dealership in Indianapolis. It was later moved to a Native American museum at Eagle Creek Park before Miami leader Larry Godfroy donated the statue to Montpelier in 1984. It now stands near the historic Godfroy Reserve, which is land granted by an 1818 treaty to Chief François Godfroy and his people. The reserve once covered nearly 4,000 acres along the Salamonie River in Blackford County before being sold in the 1820s and 1830s.

A JOURNEY BEYOND EARTH

Kevin Ford, a native of Montpelier, is a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel and NASA astronaut. After earning degrees in aerospace engineering and international relations, he served as a fighter pilot and test pilot before being selected by NASA in 2000. He has spent 157 days in space across two missions — one as a pilot on the Space Shuttle “Discovery” and one as commander of the International Space Station (ISS). After his time as an astronaut, Ford became a pilot for United Airlines and now serves as a technical advisor for NASA’s ISS Advisory Committee.

HEART OF HARTFORD CITY

The Hartford City Courthouse Square Historic District serves as the historic and civic center of Blackford County. Its main building, the Blackford County Courthouse, is a Richardsonian Romanesque landmark built during the Indiana Gas Boom. Designed by Marion architects Arthur LaBell and Burt L. French, the courthouse features a 165-foot clock tower and stone walls, and it still houses local government more than a century later. The courthouse lawn includes several war memorials, including a World War I monument that is a reproduction of the “Spirit of the American Doughboy” sculpture.

By Nicole Thomas

FOUNDED: 1838

NAMED FOR: Isaac Blackford, the first speaker of the Indiana General Assembly

POPULATION: 12,112

COUNTY SEAT: Hartford City

INDIANA COUNTY NUMBER: 5

Youth Power and Hope Awards

Community service and compassion:

Across Indiana, young people are already serving, inspiring, and making real change in their hometowns, strengthening the communities we call home and carrying forward the cooperative spirit that unites us all.

For more than 15 years, the Youth Power and Hope Awards — led by Indiana Connection magazine — have honored outstanding fifth through eighth-grade students who demonstrate compassion, initiative, and commitment to community. This year’s winners continue that legacy of service, proving that age is no barrier to making a meaningful impact.

LOGAN CONKLIN

Logan Conklin and his family are members of Clark County REMC and reside in Sellersburg. The son of Ken and Kelly Conklin, he is an eighthgrade student who demonstrates a remarkable heart for service and community.

Through Boy Scout Troop 10, Conklin has volunteered on a wide range of projects, including building pedestrian bridges, community gardens, and playgrounds, as well as collecting food for local pantries and assisting with public events. He also serves at St. John Paul II Catholic Church as an altar server and helps at church events throughout the year. Each Christmas, Conklin volunteers with the Salvation Army, giving his time to help families in need.

Youth Power and Hope Award winners exemplify the best of the next generation

Even when faced with challenges in school, Conklin remains dedicated to making a difference — proving that no obstacle can stand in the way of doing good. As he pursues a new diploma track designed for students with special needs, he looks forward to learning a skilled trade and continuing to make a difference in his community.

DIANE PATTON

Diane Patton and her family are members of Tipmont and live in Waynetown. The daughter of Lilly and Ryan Patton, she is a seventhgrade student who shares her love of animals with her community in inspiring ways.

Through 4-H and her family farm, Patton teaches others about goats, poultry, and other animals, focusing on proper care and safety. She presents at local events, schools, the Indiana School for the Blind, and community programs, giving hands-on experiences that educate and inspire students. Patton also mentors younger 4-H members through a dairy goat workshop she started with her sister and helps raise funds for her club through projects like Kiss the Goat.

Regarding her community service, Patton said, “Helping others is the right thing to do, and even young people can make a difference.”

Youth Power and Hope Awards

ALEXANDRIA SHORT

Alexandria Short is the daughter of Joy and Spencer Short of Convoy, Ohio, and her family are members of Paulding Putnam.

A seventh-grade student, Short has helped bring holiday cheer to thousands through the Van Wert 4-H Exchange Club’s Holiday Light Show. Since she was five years old, she has helped set up, operate, and maintain the displays, and now serves as the club reporter, sharing stories about the club’s activities.

Through her involvement, Short has gained leadership, teamwork, and technical skills while helping ensure the light show remains a cherished community tradition. Proceeds from the event support 4-H exchanges, local food pantries, hurricane relief efforts, and camp scholarships.

Regarding her community service, Short stated, “Giving back helps young people feel connected to the world we live in.”

DELANEY

SMALL

Delaney Small is the daughter of Whitney and Jason Small of Greenwood and is a member of JCREMC.

A sixth grader, Small, has turned a personal health challenge into a mission of kindness through her project, Laney’s Love.

After receiving a blood transfusion at age 10, Small felt called to give back. She began hosting community blood drives to raise awareness about the importance of donation in Indiana. Along with each drive, she collects funds to purchase toys for patients at Riley Children’s Hospital, a gesture inspired by the comfort she once received there. She also makes handmade bracelets with encouraging messages for blood donors.

Regarding her service, Small shared, “Helping others makes people feel part of a lasting impact. Even when you’re young, you can change someone’s life.”

GRACE WESTFALL

Grace Westfall is the daughter of Krista and John Westfall of Zionsville and is a member of Boone Power. A sixth grader, Westfall leads with compassion and initiative in her school and community. She serves as student council president and participates in the Best Buddies Program, where she partners with a student with special needs and attends events to foster friendships and promote inclusion.

Westfall also founded Kids Helping Kids, a school club that supports the Isaiah 117 House of Boone County, which provides comfort to children entering foster care. She has helped meet the home’s needs and raise awareness through lemonade stands, donation drives, and community outreach. Alongside her family, Westfall volunteers regularly at Wheeler Mission, the Zionsville Food Pantry, and the Indiana Diaper Bank, all to ensure others feel supported and cared for.

Regarding her service, Westfall said, “It’s important for young people to help others because it teaches skills, builds empathy, and makes a difference.”

BREAKER BOX BASICS:

Protecting your home from overloads

Your home’s breaker box may not be something you think about every day, but it’s one of the most important safety features in your home. Indiana’s electric cooperatives remind members to understand how their breaker panel works and to recognize the warning signs of electrical overloads.

“When too much electricity runs through a circuit, the breaker is designed to trip,” said John Cassady, CEO of Indiana Electric Cooperatives . “That quick action shuts off power and prevents wires from overheating, which could otherwise lead to a fire.”

WARNING SIGNS OF OVERLOADED OUTLETS OR CIRCUITS INCLUDE:

• Lights that flicker, blink, or dim

• Warm outlet or switch covers

• Burning odors from outlets or switches

• Circuit breakers that trip often

• Crackling or buzzing sounds near receptacles

• Mild shock or tingling when touching appliances or switches

• Appliances or tools not running at full strength

If you notice any of these issues, check your breaker panel, usually located in the basement or garage.

A tripped breaker will be in the “off” or middle position. To reset it, switch it fully to “off,” then back to “on.”

Knowing which rooms and appliances are on each circuit can save time and stress when something trips. Indiana’s electric cooperatives suggest members take a few minutes with a notepad to map out circuits and label the breaker panel.

Extension cords may be a quick fix when outlets are limited, but heavy reliance on them often means a home needs additional outlets installed by a licensed electrician.

EXTENSION CORD SAFETY 101

Extension cords are meant for temporary use. Using extension cords correctly can reduce the risk of overheating and fire.

KEEP THESE TIPS IN MIND:

Keep cords away from water.

Show older kids how to plug in safely and never yank cords from the wall.

Avoid overloading cords with too many devices.

Replace cords that are cracked or damaged.

If your home relies heavily on extension cords, it may be time to add more outlets.

Sources: Electrical Safety Authority, Complete Electrical Solutions

Show your love with red velvet

Indulge in the rich and decadent signature flavor of red velvet, with a vibrant hue perfect for celebrating Valentine’s Day this month

RED VELVET CHEESE BALL

1 stick of butter, softened

8 oz cream cheese

2 Tbsp brown sugar

½ cup powdered sugar

½ box of red velvet cake mix

Combine the butter and cream cheese. Add the brown sugar, powdered sugar, and the cake mix. Refrigerate for 30 minutes, or until firm, and then form into a ball. The ball can be rolled in mini chocolate chips. Serve with graham crackers or vanilla wafers.

RED VELVET POKE CAKE

Glenda Ferguson, Paoli

1 box red velvet cake mix, plus ingredients to make the cake (eggs, oil, water)

2 boxes vanilla pudding

4 cups milk

8 oz tub whipped topping, thawed

½ cup mini chocolate chips

Prepare the cake mix according to package directions and bake in a 9x13-inch pan. Cool the cake for a couple of minutes. Poke holes in the cake with a straw or a wooden spoon handle. Poke all the way down to the bottom.

Mix the contents of both pudding boxes with the milk and whisk until smooth. Pour the pudding over the cake, ensuring it fills the holes. Cover the cake and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Spread the top of the cake with thawed whipped topping and sprinkle with the chocolate chips.

RED VELVET FUDGE

Marilles Mauer,

Greensburg

2 cups white chocolate chips (more for optional topping)

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk

2 Tbsp butter, melted

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

1-2 tsp red food color

½ tsp salt

In a saucepan over low heat, melt the chips, condensed milk, and butter, stirring constantly until smooth and well combined. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla, cocoa powder, red food coloring, and salt until thoroughly combined. Line an 8x8 baking dish with parchment paper, then spread the fudge mixture evenly into the pan. If desired, melt some white chocolate chips and drizzle over the fudge. Then take a toothpick to create a swirl pattern on top. Chill for at least 2 hours.

INDIANA’S FORGOTTEN wetlands

Uncovering the history of the swamps that shaped our past

By Stephanie Bernaba

Before Indiana became known for its farms and cities, it was a land primarily of water. When government surveyors worked across the territory between 1799 and 1834, they encountered massive tracts of soggy, poorly drained land where solid ground gave way to marsh for miles.

Northwestern Indiana spent half the year under standing water. Benton County was predominantly wetlands. Indiana was a landscape so dominated by wetlands, so teeming

with waterfowl, wild rice, and unknown depths, that today’s residents would barely recognize it as the same place.

These swamps have vanished, converted either into farmland or roads, or buried beneath suburban developments, but their stories reveal an untamed and beautiful terrain where people escaping slavery found refuge from bloodhounds, where locals attempted to harvest peat as their Irish ancestors had, and where naturalists discovered endless inspiration among the cattails and knotty growth.

FLETCHER’S SWAMP AND THE UNDERGROUND RAILROAD

Fletcher’s Swamp has completely disappeared, but it once covered approximately 200 acres just east of Indianapolis’ Old North Side, stretching between what are now called Cottage Home and MartindaleBrightwood. This wetland sat centered roughly where the I-65 and I-70 interchange would eventually be constructed. Today, the area near Massachusetts Avenue reveals no trace of its existence.

continued from page 21

A December 1889 description in the Indianapolis Journal painted a picture of a dismal swamp that even hunters couldn’t enter except during the harshest winter cold. Frost rarely broke through the dense blanket of moss and accumulated leaves that had built up over centuries, kept perpetually damp by underground springs.

During the 1830s, this forbidding swamp became a critical station on the Underground Railroad.

Calvin Fletcher, a Vermont native, lawyer, and farmer who controlled approximately 1,600 acres covering much of the Near East Side, worked actively against slavery and regularly allowed escaped slaves safe passage through his property.

Wetlands made ideal hiding spots because slave-hunting bloodhounds lost the scent in water and mud. Freedom seekers used removable wooden planks as stepping stones

across the swamp, eliminating their trails by taking up the planks behind them as they moved forward.

An 1889 Journal account captured Fletcher’s secret mission. A tenant farmer noticed Fletcher riding toward the swamp each morning carrying a sack. One sunrise, curiosity led the farmer to follow at a distance. Fletcher dismounted, walked into the vegetation, and called out. The swamp responded — vegetation waving, water splashing, and finally, a tall, muscular Black man emerged wearing clothes made from coffee sacks. He took the sack from Fletcher, exchanged a few inaudible words, and disappeared back into the swamp.

The swamp may also have sheltered unlikely refugees during the Civil War years. Confederate prisoners who escaped Camp Morton, a Union Army prison located just west of the wetland, found cover in the dense thickets and boggy ground. Stephen Keyes Fletcher claimed decades later

that escaped prisoners regularly hid in his father’s swamp.

The swamp’s fate was sealed, though, after the war ended. Hundreds of newly freed African Americans traveled north from Kentucky and other Southern states to Indianapolis. Calvin Fletcher allowed them to harvest timber for building cabins and cultivate small vegetable patches, paying them by the cord for the wood they delivered from the swamp’s edges.

Fletcher’s son, Calvin Jr., finally drained the remaining wetland during the 1870s by dredging it and connecting it to the “Old State Ditch.” Thousands of acres of Indiana wetlands met a similar fate when they were converted into conventional farmland.

BACON’S SWAMP: BROAD RIPPLE’S PEAT BOG

An 1891 newspaper identified Fletcher’s Swamp as one of two major

“bayous” affecting valuable property around Indianapolis’ expanding borders. The second was Bacon’s Swamp, which proved equally fascinating and more scientifically significant.

Broad Ripple now occupies the area where the sizable Marion County bog once existed. Google Maps still labels a small lake “Bacon’s Swamp,” but this is merely a manufactured remnant of what was once a freshwater wetland.

The Wisconsin Glacier’s retreat created both Fletcher’s and Bacon’s swamps approximately 20,000 years ago, leaving depressions that filled with water. Over time, these bodies filled with sediment and decaying plant material, while oxygen levels at their depths dropped, much as in the aging process of living organisms. Bacon’s Swamp matured into one of the southernmost peat bogs in the United States.

This swamp also took its name from a farmer who operated an Underground Railroad station. Hiram Bacon arrived from Williamstown, Massachusetts, in 1821 with his wife, Mary Blair. Despite studying law at Williams College, Bacon’s poor health led him west to survey for the government. After his assignment was complete, he chose to stay in Indiana.

The Bacons ran a sophisticated operation for assisting freedom seekers. A 1931 Indianapolis Star article detailed the arrangement: the house stood on the east side of the road, with the large barn on the west. Inside the barn, a wheat bin could only be accessed by ladder from outside and remained concealed beneath piles of hay. Another hiding

spot existed in the cider house bin. Freedom seekers remained there until darkness allowed them safe transport to the next station. At night, they hid in the peat bog directly across from the Bacon dairy operation.

Their 400-acre farm occupied approximately the same area where the Glendale Town Center stands today. During the mid-1800s, most of eastern Broad Ripple would have been covered in boggy terrain. By the 1930s, the farmhouse stood empty.

Walter C. Kiplinger, who was an Indianapolis chemistry teacher and tree doctor, wrote a detailed 1916 Indianapolis News article about the peat bog. His description focused on an area approximately one mile north of the State Fairgrounds, located near 50th Street and Arsenal Park. Kiplinger marveled at the depth and vastness of the peat, saying that it rivaled the most lavish Irish peat bogs. Local newspapers published serious proposals for peat harvesting from 1905 through the 1920s, before the idea was abandoned.

Europeans have burned peat for millennia. Though peat is not technically a fossil fuel, it produces odorless, smokeless heat. Rural Ireland and Britain relied on it as an affordable fuel source for centuries, and it also provides Scotch whisky’s smoky flavor.

During World War I, American and Canadian peat bogs exported sphagnum moss to Europe, where cotton shortages forced army doctors to experiment with peat-based wound dressings. The moss was also an effective natural antibiotic.

Central Indiana nearly joined the peat fuel movement during the early

1900s. E.H. Collins, a Hamilton County farmer located a mile north of the State Fairgrounds, promoted what he called “earth that would burn” during the summer of 1905. He estimated that his 30-acre bog contained approximately 400,000 tons of harvestable peat, and newspapers envisioned a future in which peat would become residents’ primary source of heat.

That future, sadly, never arrived. Indianapolis’ economic challenges and demographic shifts accelerated Broad Ripple’s suburban growth during the 1950s, placing increasing pressure on the remaining swampland.

In February 1956, three children died attempting to rescue a puppy that had fallen through ice on one of the swamp’s lakes.

continued on page 24

continued from page 23

Residents called for the “deadly swamp” to be condemned and eliminated. The soggy ground continued to challenge developers for decades, swallowing up roads in both 1914 and 1937. Eventually, only a small pond remained.

THE GRAND KANKAKEE MARSH, INDIANA’S EVERGLADES

While Fletcher’s and Bacon’s swamps were significant, the Grand Kankakee Marsh surpassed them in both size and scope. Kankakee Marsh earned the nickname “Everglades of the North” because it extended across northern Indiana.

Trevor Edmonson of The Nature Conservancy describes how the

landscape has changed: “Some say this was one of the largest inland wetland systems in North America. Looking around today, you need to squint hard and read the landscape carefully to detect its presence.”

The diverse patchwork of vast floodplains, wild creeks, thick backwaters, and wet meadows that once defined Northern Indiana can now be traversed without much notice. The same can be said for the fragmented, industrialized Calumet Region wetlands and the isolated pockets of creeks in Northeastern Indiana.

The marsh nurtured diverse wildlife. More than 500,000 acres of wetland habitats, including swamps, marshes, and shallow lakes, contained a wide variety of plants. Cattails, sedges,

water lilies, and various aquatic grasses grew throughout the marsh. These plants sustained numerous animal species, including migratory birds, waterfowl, turtles, frogs, and fish.

Beaver Lake in Newton County covered 28,500 acres in 1834. Railroads transported hunters, trappers, and fishermen from Chicago into the marsh, and the trains returned loaded with fish, game, and marsh grasses used for packaging materials. Hunting lodges operated throughout the area.

Native American tribes, specifically the Miami and Potawatomi, depended on the marsh long before settlers arrived. Its resources were harvested for food, and the wetlands were used for transportation and trade. They

also incorporated the marsh into their spiritual practices.

Significant changes began in 1884 with the implementation of dredging, river straightening, tiling, and ditching projects targeting the Kankakee River and its surrounding marshes.

Industrialization and agricultural expansion during the late 1800s and early 1900s resulted in the draining of hundreds of acres of marshland and the straightening of neighboring rivers. As a result, the ecosystem changed irrevocably, and the natural water systems never recovered.

By 1917, Beaver Lake had shrunk from 28,500 acres to 10,000 acres. Today, it exists only on maps.

The environmental consequences were severe. Shrinking wetlands reduced habitats for plants and animals. Migratory birds lost a vital stopover, and the waterfowl population declined sharply. Altered water flow and increased sedimentation lowered the water quality and harmed aquatic life. The loss of wetland plants also reduced water retention, leading to increased flooding in nearby communities.

WHAT’S LEFT

Wetland preservation is now a state priority, marking a reversal of years of destruction. Wetlands provide beauty, wildlife habitats, and naturally filter and replenish groundwater. Edmonson notes that these once swampy, undervalued areas are now among Indiana’s most cherished landscapes.

Recent years have seen restoration efforts for places like the Grand Kankakee Marsh, with organizations, environmental groups, and

government agencies collaborating to reconstruct wetlands, improve water quality, and restore habitats.

What The Nature Conservancy now calls the Efroymson Prairie at Kankakee Sands was once part of this vast wetland complex. The Nature Conservancy and other conservation partners recognize that not all is lost. Over the decades, they have worked urgently to protect, promote, and steward the remaining critical wetlands across Indiana.

At Kankakee Sands, they have restored some of the natural flow across many acres and have seen the ecosystem begin to recover. This recovery will take time, if not generations, to return to its natural state.

“A couple of decades ago, we could only really read about the lush and biodiverse wetlands of the Grand Kankakee Marsh,” Edmonson said. “Today, as I walk through a restored flooded sedge meadow and hear an American bittern calling and see a variety of frogs and flowers at my feet, I can begin to bring that history to the present. I am constantly in awe of what we can accomplish when we work together for nature. While people have significantly altered the landscape, we also have the power and opportunity to heal it.”

Indiana has established numerous nature preserves protecting wetland communities throughout the state. Beanblossom Bottoms Nature Preserve in Monroe County protects vital bottomland forest habitat. Northern Indiana features several preserves, including the Crooked Lake Nature Preserve, which spans Whitley and Noble counties, the Loon Lake

Nature Preserve in Steuben County, and the Springfield Fen Nature Preserve in LaPorte County.

Twin Swamps Nature Preserve in Posey County protects important wetlands in southwestern Indiana. The Kankakee Fish & Wildlife Area maintains over 4,000 acres of habitat for migrating birds and other wildlife, offering visitors a glimpse into the rich history of the Grand Kankakee Marsh.

For visitors, the Wet Prairie Trail at the Kankakee Sands Welcome area offers a glimpse into this recovered ecosystem. Edmonson particularly loves the wetlands in June, when the sedges are at their most robust, plants are blooming, and the insects and butterflies return.

Though large areas of Indiana wetlands have been lost forever, their storied history lives on. Thanks to widespread conservation efforts, the spark of life has finally returned, allowing Indiana’s wetlands to thrive once again.

Editor’s Note

A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE

The Limberlost Swamp near Geneva found an unlikely ally in author Gene Stratton-Porter. Despite the swamp’s dangers, she recognized its value as both a living laboratory and an inspiration for both her fiction and nature writing. We will explore Stratton’s remarkable life and legacy in the March issue.

Best of Indiana

Indiana Connection Readers’ Choice Awards

Indiana Best of

NOMINATION FORM

To celebrate the uniqueness of Indiana, please exclude national chains from your responses. Don’t forget to include the name of the town in which each answer is located. Feel free to tell us why you made your nomination. Use an additional piece of paper if needed.

BED AND BREAKFAST/COUNTRY INN:

Indiana Connection wants to recognize some of our readers’ favorite places in an upcoming “Best of Indiana” feature. To nominate your favorites, fill out the form below and mail it to Indiana Connection at 11805 Pennsylvania Street, Carmel, IN 46032. You can also submit your nominations online at indianaconnection.org/2026-best-ofindiana-awards

Nomination forms are due by March 1. Our readers will vote on the top-nominated places in future issues. Send any questions to Editor Britt Davis at bdavis@indianaec.org. Help us showcase some of the places that make the Hoosier State great!

MUSEUM: PLACE TO TAKE THE KIDS:

RESTAURANT:

TENDERLOIN SANDWICH (NAME THE SPECIFIC PLACE):

WINERY/VINEYARD:

Name:

Address: City: State: ZIP Code: Phone: Email: Electric Cooperative:

Why have a stairlift when you

Stay in the home and neighborhood you love with a Stiltz Homelift.

THE MODERN SOLUTION

A Stiltz Homelift is a safe, attractive, & affordable alternative to stairlifts. It requires no special machine room, and no supporting walls.

ECONOMICAL & FLEXIBLE

A Stiltz Homelift can t just about anywhere in your house. It has a compact footprint, similar in size to a small armchair.

A Stiltz Homelift plugs into a standard home electrical outlet, using less power than a coffee maker.

YOUR FOREVER HOME

Avoid the expense and distress of relocating, or the disruption of adapting

your home for downstairs living. A Stiltz Homelift helps you live safely and independently in the home you love.

IT’S NEVER TOO SOON

Some Stiltz customers need a Homelift immediately. But others want to “future-proof” their homes for when the stairs become a challenge.

HOMELIFT SPECIALISTS

Stiltz is a world leading Homelift manufacturer, so you’ll be in good hands. Your elevator will be installed and maintained by Stiltz trained professionals who truly care about your freedom.

Falls are the leading cause of hospitalization for older adults in the US. More than a quarter of Americans age 65+ fall each year. The average hospital cost for a fall injury is $35,000. Did you know?

“I can’t imagine what we’d do without it. I wish we had installed our Stiltz Homelift several years ago!”

– Mr. James, Roanoke, VA

Why choose Stiltz?

• Affordable

• Small Footprint

• Full Safety Features

• Clean, Quiet Operation

• Low Power Consumption

• Freestanding Design

• Wheelchair Accessible

• Carry Laundry or Pets

• Fast Installation

• Full Warranty

Hoosier Energy news

PLAN PART of the

A maintained electric system ensures safe, reliable electric service

For the past 76 years, Hoosier Energy has been responsible for the safe and reliable transmission of electric service to its member systems.

To ensure it can continue its power supply commitment throughout 2026, Hoosier Energy will maintain regular inspections, and provide required scheduled maintenance and emergency repairs throughout its system. As part of the process, walk inspections, vegetation management, pole replacement, and helicopter patrols will take place.

These efforts may affect a portion of the electric transmission system located on or within proximity of your property. That may include easement areas and rights-of-way.

Reasonable efforts will be made to contact property owners before any scheduled maintenance or if access

is needed. However, current and accurate property owner contact information is not always available. To ensure we have your current contact information, scan the QR code on this page, call the Hoosier Energy Real Estate Team at 833-610-7437, or email realestate@hepn.com.

KEY RESTRICTIONS REGARDING EASEMENT AREAS AND RIGHTS-OF-WAY

• No structure(s) shall be constructed or maintained within the easement area.

• Vegetation must be managed to industry standards and not present a safety concern to the public or the transmission line facilities.

• Reasonable ingress/egress to access transmission line easement areas and facilities.

• Contact the Real Estate Team (realestate@hepn.com) before any excavation or construction in proximity to an electric transmission line easement area. Members of the team will happily schedule an on-site meeting to review potential plans in order to avoid the possibility of safety, reliability, or accessibility issues. The Real Estate Team is available to discuss any concerns you may have about restrictions or access areas.

SCAN TO ENSURE YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION IS CURRENT

SUGAR RUSH

Step into sweet nostalgia at Schimpff’s Confectionery in Jeffersonville

By Natalie Derrickson

Some say the “good old days” are gone, but at Schimpff’s Confectionery, they’re on full display and good enough to eat. In fact, most would insist on giving in to a sweet tooth during a visit to the number one candy store in America, according to USA Today.

Sugar sizzles against the walls of a copper pot while pillow candies crack and scatter across the butcher block, and eager shoppers attempt to whittle down their shopping list. This is a typical day at Schimpff’s Confectionery — sugar, history, creativity, and craft, honed across generations dating back to 1891.

Schimpff’s is well-known for several specialties: cinnamon red hots, hand-made chocolates, hard fish candy, and a regional favorite, Modjeskas — a gooey caramelcovered marshmallow. Outside the building, look up to spot the sets of red bricks flanking the second-story windows — markers of the 1937 flood that devastated downtown Jeffersonville and other riverside communities. Schimpff’s held on, rebuilt, and continues to deliver sweets, memories, and space

to enjoy one another’s company across generations.

Plan your visit with plenty of time to shop for sweets and learn about the history of candy-making. Call ahead to schedule a guided tour and learn what candy will be made in-store — you won’t want to miss the live demonstrations. Stick around and enjoy a deli lunch and a chocolate Coke, a Coca-Cola with chocolate syrup, at Schimpff’s classic soda fountain, in operation since 1921.

Schimpff’s is home to a candy museum filled with candy artifacts that Jill and Warren Schimpff, the recently retired fourth-generation owners, have collected. In 2025, the Schimpffs passed the torch to “Cousin Steve” Shepherd and his wife, Beth. The shop’s fifth generation of ownership continues the tradition, wonder, and delight that a landmark candy store should.

Create space for the perfect book nook

A cozy reading retreat doesn’t require a hefty renovation. With some strategic choices in your existing space, you can create the book lover’s haven that you’ve always dreamed of.

Plot your scene

The first step is choosing the right location. If you have a naturally setapart section in your home, such as an alcove, a window seat, or an empty corner of a room, it makes for an easy transformation. Other good options are an area next to a builtin bookshelf, a closet, or a space under the stairs. If needed, create a reading spot along a wall, nestled between bookshelves or cabinets. Next, pick furniture to create your cozy sanctuary. Deep chairs with a footstool add instant comfort. For a larger space, consider adding a daybed. If your space is limited, add furniture with built-in storage.

Tone is everything

Once you have the bones of the space set up, it’s time to make it special. Start with lighting — bright enough for you to read without eye strain, but dim enough for relaxation. If you lack space or an electrical outlet, use rechargeable or batterypowered disc lights.

If your nook is tucked away, consider painting the area a different, but coordinating color to the rest of your room, or add an easy-to-install peeland-stick wallpaper.

A space for every story

The final step in creating your nook is to provide storage for your books. If built-in or standalone bookshelves aren’t an option, install wall shelves. Unfinished boards can be stained or painted to coordinate with your decor. Brackets with a built-in rod provide a whimsical touch for draping plants.

If you’re creating a book nook in a kid’s room, attach floating, shallow shelves in an L-shape around the area, where they can display their favorite books or personal items. With the right touches and a few hours, you can create the perfect space to go on all your literary adventures.

Renee Bedel is the kitchen designer at Gillman Home Center in Batesville, a Do It Best member. Do it Best is a Fort Wayne-based home improvement cooperative supporting thousands of hardware stores, home centers, and lumberyards throughout the U.S. and worldwide. Visit your local Do it Best store or doitbest.com for thousands of the best home improvement products.

START THE NEW YEAR RIGHT SAFEGUARD YOUR WEALTH

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 longterm financial security, even when broader economic conditions are unclear.

American Gold Reserve is releasing Government issued $5 Gold American Eagles completely free of dealer mark-up for only $459 each. These beautiful $5 Gold American Eagles are a perfect way to enter the gold market. They are set for immediate public release and will sell out fast.

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

GOVERNMENT BACKED U.S. GOLD

• Teach the importance of wealth preservation.

• Great way to pass on wealth to children and grandchildren.

• A symbolic act of the commitment to your family.

• Gold provides your children and grandchildren with a built-in safeguard during times of financial instability.

Minimum order of 5 coins

Special arrangements on orders over $50,000 Mention vault release code: AMS-IN13