Honoring the past 90 years and powering the future
Henry County REMC’s
T he
LITTLE LIBRARY that could Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library celebrates 30 years of inspiration
PAGE 20
JANUARY 2026
NEWEST FLEET
ALONG THE FLORIDA COAST
Tampa
St. Petersburg FLORIDA
Punta Gorda Everglades National Park
Marco Island
Dry Tortugas National Park
Key West
AMERICAN BUILT FOR AMERICA’S WATERWAYS Set sail on a 9-day all-inclusive journey aboard our fleet of new small ships designed specifically to navigate the Florida Gulf Coast & Keys. With up to 130 guests, you’ll enjoy an intimate onboard experience and the most spacious staterooms in the industry, each featuring a private balcony, perfect for enjoying the ever-changing scenery. Relax in elegant lounges and inviting social spaces as the tropical landscapes unfold before you—from sun-kissed St. Petersburg to the Caribbean flair of Key West, and the tranquil riverfront of Punta Gorda.
Call today for your FREE Cruise Guide
800-459-2596
from the editor
The spark of imagination
VOLUME 75 • NUMBER 7 ISSN 0745-4651 • USPS 262-340
Growing up, my mom made sure I had plenty of books and read to me every night before I went to bed. When we had our daughter, Gwen, I also wanted to make books a priority for her. My husband and I have been reading to her every night since before she even understood what a book was. Now, she loves being read to at any time of the day. Some of her favorites are the Berenstain Bears books. Gwen is also enrolled in Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, which we highlight in this month’s feature story. When the idea was suggested to sign her up for the library just before she was born, I was a little hesitant. I mistakenly thought that the Imagination Library was only for kids “in need.” I didn’t want to take a spot away from a child who needed it more. However, after looking into the program, I realized it was intended for all children, regardless of their families’ financial situations. I’m so glad we signed her up. She gets very excited when she receives a new book and wants to read it right away. The books cover a variety of subjects and are made of durable paper, allowing her to read them many times and spend time looking at them on her own. She enjoys “Tad and Dad,” a book about a growing tadpole and his annoyed frog father, and
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: Steve McMichael President Dr. Richard Leeper Vice President Jamey Marcum Secretary/Treasurer John Cassady CEO EDITORIAL STAFF: Britt Davis Editor Mandy Barth Vice President of Communication Lauren Carman Communication Manager
“Ice Cream Face,” about a kid who loves ice cream so much he wants it
Ashley Curry Production and Design Coordinator
for every meal. Both books have unique artwork that she loves to look at.
Holly Huffman Communication Support Specialist
I encourage you to sign up the children in your life for this special program, as fostering a love of reading provides lasting benefits through childhood and into adulthood.
On the menu: April: Submit your favorite recipes
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.
Britt Davis Editor bdavis@indianaec.org
Amber Knight Creative Manager
you.
using coffee, deadline Feb. 1. If we publish your recipe on our food pages, we’ll send you a $10 gift card.
Giveaway: Enter to win a coffee gift set. Visit
indianaconnection.org/talk-to-us/contests or send your contact information to the address below. The deadline to enter is Jan. 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.
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.
JANUARY 2026
3
contents
JANUARY
12
18
county
03 FROM THE EDITOR 05 CO-OP NEWS Energy news and information from your electric cooperative 10 ENERGY Resolve to save money (and energy) in the new year
food
30
outdoors
cover story
12 COUNTY Grant County
18 FOOD Create your ideal rice bowl
28 HOOSIER ENERGY/ WABASH VALLEY NEWS
14 INDIANA EATS Aspasia Coffee and Bake Shop is making gluten-free dreams come true
20 COVER STORY Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library celebrates 30 years of inspiration
16 SAFETY Be prepared for winter storms
26 BEST OF INDIANA Nominate your favorite places for our readers’ choice awards
29 TRAVEL Koteewi Run offers 700 feet of tubing lanes in central Indiana (NOT IN ALL EDITIONS)
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Indiana Connection 4 JANUARY 2026
20
30 OUTDOORS Longing for nostalgic snow days (NOT IN ALL EDITIONS)
On the cover In 1995, singer, songwriter, and actress Dolly Parton launched the Imagination Library in Sevier County, Tennessee. Since then, the library, which offers free books to children from birth to age five, has grown into an international initiative that distributes over 3 million books each month. Learn more about this inspiring program in this month’s cover feature.
Honoring the past, powering the future:
HENRY COUNTY REMC CELEBRATES 90 YEARS www.hcremc.com CONTACT US 800-248-8413 Fax: 765-529-1667 OFFICE HOURS 7:30 a.m.– 4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday STREET ADDRESS 3400 S. State Road 3 New Castle, IN 47362 MAILING ADDRESS P.O. Box D New Castle, IN 47362
As we step into 2026, I am honored and
And this is just the beginning.
excited to celebrate a truly extraordinary
Throughout 2026, we have many
milestone with you — the 90th
opportunities planned to honor our past,
anniversary of Henry County REMC. For
highlight the cooperative difference, and
nine decades, our cooperative has been
celebrate the people like you who make
woven into the daily lives, homes, and
our mission meaningful. I look forward to
hopes of the people of Henry County
sharing these events and stories as the
and surrounding communities. That
year unfolds.
is something worth celebrating all year long.
As we reflect on our history, we also look ahead to the future leadership of
You will begin seeing our special 90th
our cooperative. If you have a devoted
anniversary logo throughout the coming
interest in Henry County REMC and
A night deposit box is available 24 hours a day.
months. It marks not only how far we’ve
the service we provide, you may want
come, but also the strong foundation
to consider running for a seat on our
EMAIL hcremc@hcremc.com
this co-op was built upon: our members.
board of directors. On Jan. 26, from 6
From the early days of bringing
to 7 p.m., we will host our annual town
SERVICE INTERRUPTIONS To report a power outage, please call 800-248-8413, day or night.
electricity to rural families who had
hall meeting for members interested
long gone without, to the modern era of
in learning more about board service.
reliability, technology, and innovation,
Seats in Districts 3, 5, and 6 are open
MISSION STATEMENT The mission of Henry County REMC is to provide reliable, safe and cost-competitive electrical service to enhance the lives of our members and the communities we serve.
this cooperative has always existed
for nominations this year. Your district
because of you and for you.
number can be found on your monthly
BILL DUE DATES Cycle 1 will be due on Jan. 7 Cycle 2 will be due on Jan. 9 Cycle 4 will be due on Jan. 15 Cycle 5 will be due on Jan. 22
To kick off this commemorative year, we’re proud to offer a free 2026 Henry
Serving on the board is a meaningful
Calendar for all members. It’s filled with
way to shape the direction of our co-op
remarkable photographs from our rich
as we embark on the next 90 years. I
history. These moments tell the story
encourage anyone passionate about
of how our co-op grew, adapted, and
the cooperative mission to join us at the
served generation after generation.
town hall.
office, and I invite you to stop by and pick one up.
Call 811 before you dig!
remarkable milestone. Here’s to celebrating our history, honoring our members, and building a bright future —
wonderful sponsors who made the
together.
no cost to our members. Their support
FOLLOW US ON X, FORMERLY KNOWN AS TWITTER www.twitter.com/ HenryCountyREMC
Thank you for being part of this
A heartfelt thank you goes to our production of this calendar possible at
LIKE US ON FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/ HenryCountyREMC
SmartHub account.
County REMC 90th Anniversary
The calendars are now available at our
Know what’s below.
bill under the office hours or in your
reflects the community-minded spirit
Happy New Year, and welcome to our 90th anniversary!
that has always defined the cooperative model.
MELISSA TRUE CEO
JANUARY 2026
5
BOARD SEATS OPEN FOR 2026 There will be a Town Hall Meeting at Henry County REMC on Monday, Jan. 26, from 6 to 7 p.m. Members interested in running for a seat on the board of directors are invited to attend and learn more about the process. Seats are open to nominations this year for Districts 3, 5, and 6.
DISTRICT 3 Mike Reynolds, representing Prairie and Jefferson Townships in Henry County.
DISTRICT 5 Kerry Glisson, representing Greensboro, Harrison, and Wayne Townships in Henry County, and Brown and Jackson Townships in Hancock County.
DISTRICT 6 Jamey Marcum (Vice Chairman), representing Henry Township in Henry County.
Energy efficiency Winter weather can cause your home heating system to work overtime. Check for air leaks and drafts around doors and windows, then seal them with weatherstripping or caulk. Close fireplace dampers when not in use, and consider installing insulating curtains to help keep warm air inside. You can also save energy by lowering your thermostat a few degrees. Even small adjustments like these can reduce heating costs and improve comfort during the coldest months.
6 JANUARY 2026
TIP OF THE MONTH
STUDENTS STEP INSIDE THE CO-OP: Henry County REMC hosts first Job Shadow Day This past fall, Henry County REMC welcomed five local high school students for our first-ever Job Shadow Day — an event designed to give young people a closer look at the wide range of career opportunities within the electric cooperative world.
EMPLOYEES WELCOMED THE EXPERIENCE The program was equally positive from the staff perspective. Employees were eager to engage with the students and share what they do each day. “I didn’t hear a single negative
The idea came from Accounting/HR Coordinator Monica
comment,” Sexton noted. “Everyone I talked to was excited to
Sexton, who frequently visits area schools for career fairs.
be part of it.”
After hearing repeated questions from students about job shadowing and internships, she decided it was time to bring
ROOTED IN COOPERATIVE PRINCIPLES
the experience directly to them.
Events like Job Shadow Day highlight what sets electric
“I’d heard interest from students, and one day the idea just clicked,” Sexton said. “I drafted an agenda to see if it could work, brought it to the leadership team, and they were completely supportive.”
cooperatives apart. Concern for Community and Education, Training, and Information are two core cooperative principles, and Henry County REMC is committed to living those out. By investing in students and offering meaningful learning opportunities, our co-op hopes to inspire the next generation of
A HANDS-ON LOOK AT CO-OP CAREERS
professionals who may one day serve their own communities.
For this first event, Sexton coordinated with each inside
LOOKING AHEAD
department to build a schedule of 30-minute sessions. Students rotated through various departments, including member services, accounting, marketing, operations, and engineering. Because of the hands-on nature of lineworker duties are already showcased through our Summer
With such a strong start, Sexton is hopeful that the job shadow program will continue to grow. “We’re planning to do it again,” she said. “Whether it becomes an annual event or something we offer each semester — we’re still figuring that out.”
Cooperative Camp, the day focused primarily on the indoor
No matter what shape it takes, this program reinforces a
roles that keep the co-op running.
simple truth: when we invest in local students, our entire
Sexton’s goals were clear:
community benefits.
• Give students first-hand exposure to a professional workplace • Build their understanding of how cooperative departments work together • Help them explore potential careers they may not have considered • Strengthen communication and networking skills • Introduce them to opportunities within the electric utility industry And the students responded enthusiastically. “They asked great questions, they participated, and they really seemed to enjoy themselves,” Sexton said. “For our first one, it couldn’t have gone better.”
JANUARY 2026
7
lines stopped slapping together after that vehicle wreck… whatever the case,
Your feedback matters: Updates from our team Last year, HCREMC members
year, 93% of our new extensions were
participated in a comprehensive survey
installed underground.
covering many aspects of our operations
There are many factors, however,
and their satisfaction with them. Along
that lead to decisions, and they don’t
with the survey responses, some
always boil down to just cost. Right-of-
members shared specific comments
way widths, developed and concrete
about their overall experience with
land-use plans, land rights, waterways,
HCREMC. We are grateful that many
roadways, other utilities, and many
of these comments were positive, and
other factors influence these decisions.
we also value the constructive feedback
Underground construction in rural areas
that highlighted areas where we can do
with low density makes it very likely
better.
that all-day outages to large numbers
Because your input is important to us, and because we are committed not only to meeting but also to exceeding your expectations, Chief Operating Officer Adam Warwas has volunteered to address a few operations-related comments. In the coming weeks,
of services would need to be planned just to add a new meter, which would be very irritating for many people. And while the frequency of outages is lower with underground construction, locating and troubleshooting outages when they do occur can be a very lengthy process.
leaders from other departments will also
With that being said, we are actively
respond to feedback related to their
converting over 5 miles of our existing
areas of work, ensuring that we address
line to underground per year when
member comments across all parts of
conditions are favorable, and we plan to
the cooperative. Our goal is to keep
continue at this pace well into the future.
you informed, show how your feedback
the condition cleared itself in a way, and devices we install called “reclosers” turned power back on automatically instead of waiting for a lineman to drive to the site and manually restore power. It is a form of self-healing technology. But that doesn’t make them any less annoying, right? It used to be that if someone’s lights blinked during the day, they only knew it because they came home from work and had to reset the microwave clock. Now, many people have devices in their pockets that are connected to their security systems, thermostats, Wi-Fi routers, smart devices, refrigerators, and so on. And they all notify us when the lights blink. In addition to increased awareness, there is also increased sensitivity (or decreased tolerance) due to the rapid increase in the number of people working from home and attending school virtually. We have seen the expectations of our members rise exponentially over the past decade, and we recognize that. Power is a finicky thing. It is easily disrupted by many things, especially when exposed to the elements of rural Indiana, but we are working every day to harden our system and maintain it in a way that minimizes all types of
guides our efforts, and share the steps
MEMBER COMMENT:
interruptions. Our aggressive vegetation
we’re taking to continually improve the
“Curious about why the power goes
program, our construction work plan
service we provide to our members.
on and off often.”
aimed at upgrading our infrastructure,
MEMBER COMMENT:
Warwas:
technology that can help us locate the
“Bury more lines.” Warwas: Absolutely! Our construction work plan includes a very aggressive approach to converting power lines, where it makes sense, to underground. Additionally, our estimating policies for new construction are extremely friendly and offer very fair incentives for new line to be installed underground from Day One. This
8 JANUARY 2026
and utilizing and implementing
Blinks! We dislike them just as much as
source of the issue more quickly are all
you do, I promise!
ways we are addressing these issues
All the same things that cause sustained power outages (such as trees, animals, equipment failure, vehicle wrecks, and
to prevent them from occurring and diagnose them quickly when they do occur.
weather) can cause momentary outages,
Lastly, if you experience excessive
too. The difference is that the condition
power quality issues, please do not
that caused the outage, referred to as
hesitate to let us know. We are quick
a “fault,” was a temporary condition.
to respond to these issues and start
Maybe the branch fell off the line, or the
investigating the source.
energy
RESOLVE TO SAVE MONEY (AND ENERGY) IN THE NEW YEAR A
s you set your goals for the
system can provide more consistent
and cooling systems. This enables
coming year, you can resolve
service to keep you and your home
you to control settings and monitor
to keep more money in your wallet
comfortable.
energy use even when away from
— while saving energy and staying
Save on long-term costs: Most
home. Some appliances even alert
comfortable all year long.
newer appliances and HVAC
you if an issue arises.
Homeowners do not often think
systems are more energy efficient
By planning proactively, you can
about their appliances, such as
than those created over a decade
research the best options available
a water heater or HVAC system,
ago. They will use less energy than
for your replacement. You can visit
until they break. If your HVAC
older equipment, leading to savings
your electric cooperative’s website
system is over 15 years old or
in long-term energy costs. Plus,
to see if any upgrades qualify for
has experienced more frequent
most upgrades typically come with
rebates. You can also contact your
breakdowns, start planning for
a warranty, eliminating those costly
co-op’s energy advisor to begin the
a replacement now, rather than
repairs. With proper maintenance,
conversation.
waiting until it stops working during
it should operate optimally for
extreme weather. Your local electric
years to come. The combination of
cooperative may offer rebates for
improved efficiency and reliability
upgrading to a more energy-efficient
helps save you money over the life
product. You can see multiple
of the equipment.
advantages to your upgrade:
Greater control: Many new
Improved comfort: As appliances
appliances and HVAC systems
and HVAC systems age, they may
now feature internet connectivity,
struggle to maintain the same level
allowing for greater control.
of service as when they were new.
Appliances such as heat pump
Older water heaters may run out of
water heaters may already have
by Andrew Wray
hot water, or heating and cooling
this feature integrated into the device, while Wi-Fi thermostats
Energy Advisor
systems may struggle to get to the desired temperature. A new, modern
allow for remote control of heating
10 JANUARY 2026
Hendricks Power Cooperative
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 PLACE YOUR of wealth preservation. ORDER TODAY • 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.
459
$
ea.
Minimum order of 5 coins
LIMITED OFFER
Special arrangements on orders over $50,000 Mention vault release code: AMS-IN30
24 hours - 7 days a week
CHECKS
1-866-852-3346
AMERICAN GOLD RESERVE Strict limit of 10 per household, per lifetime. For new clients only.
county feature
Grant County Grant County has a rich history in motorcycling. Harley-Davidson first earned the nickname “hog” after the winners of the 1920 Cornfield Classic International Motorcycle Race in Marion, Indiana, took their victory lap with their team’s pig mascot. Grant County still celebrates its motorcycling heritage today with the Cornfield Classic, now a vintage motorcycle rally, and the Jonesboro River Rally. Both rallies draw hundreds of bikers each year.
COUNTY FACTS FOUNDED:
REVVING UP TRADITION Founded initially as Harrisburg in 1867, Gas City, Indiana, gained its current name after natural gas was discovered during the Indiana Gas Boom. When the Gas City Land Company was established on March 21, 1892, the small town of about 150 residents adopted the name Photo courtesy of Ducktail Run “Gas City.” Most of its natural gas reserves were largely depleted by the late 1800s due to inefficient extraction. Today, the city is best known for its annual “Ducktail Run,” a car show featuring vehicles from 1972 and earlier.
1831
NAMED FOR: Samuel and Moses Grant, captains who were killed during a battle in 1789 with Native Americans in Switzerland County
POPULATION: 66,674
Photo courtesy of Marion-Grant County Convention and Visitors Bureau
Public Domain
COUNTY SEAT: Marion
INDIANA COUNTY NUMBER: 27
INDIANA’S HOLLYWOOD REBEL FOLLOW THE GARFIELD TRAIL Marion is the hometown of Jim Davis, who created the comic strip, “Garfield.” To celebrate the lasagna-loving cat, Grant County’s Garfield Trail features 14 fiberglass statues throughout nearby cities. Visitors can dial 765-997-7034 for the trail’s cell phone tour, which features recordings providing more information about each of the 5-foot-tall statues. For example, one of the statues stands in front of Jonesboro City Hall, depicting Garfield wearing a firefighter hat and holding a fire hose beside a hydrant. It’s a tribute to Jonesboro’s role as the place of Grant County’s first fire department.
12 JANUARY 2026
Hollywood icon James Dean was born in Marion in 1931. After his television debut in a Pepsi commercial, Dean quit attending UCLA to pursue acting fulltime, where he starred in three major films — “Rebel Without a Cause,” “East of Eden,” and “Giant” — before his death at the age of 24 in a car accident. Every year, Fairmount, Indiana, hosts a memorial service, festival, and classic car show in his honor. Fans can tour the James Dean Museum, which houses his motorcycles and personal artifacts, or visit the James Dean Gallery featuring a collection of rare memorabilia and collectibles. Art enthusiasts can also admire three cut-out James Dean murals by John Cerney, a renowned mural artist from California. By Nicole Thomas
Marion
COOPERATIVE STUDENT ART CONTEST SUBMISSIONS
NEW BUILDS • ADDITIONS • REMODELS We’re here to help with all your residential construction needs.
The 2026 Cooperative Student Art Contest has
Entries for the Cooperative Student Art Contest are due by Friday, Feb. 27.
begun. Submissions for the contest should be mailed to the Indiana Connection office by Feb. 27. A first-place winner will be selected for each grade, K-12, and will receive $100. One “Best
Circleventerprise@gmail.com 260-228-3440 • Circleventerprise.com
Licensed • Insured • BBB Accredited
of Show” will be selected from the first-place
MARKETPLACE
winners and will win an extra $100. Additional artists from each grade will be selected for honorable mention awards and will receive $50.
Our Marketplace offers maximum exposure for your business or organization at a minimal cost.
The contest is open to Indiana public, private, or home-schooled kindergarten through 12th-grade students during the 2025-26 school year. A complete set of rules and required entry forms are available at indianaconnection.org/for-youth/art-contest.
Please contact Cheryl Solomon, 847-749-4875 or cheryl@amp.coop, for other small business advertising opportunities in Indiana Connection.
Order your
2026 CALENDAR TODAY! SEND US A CHECK AND A NOTE WITH YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS. COPIES OF THE COOPERATIVE CALENDAR OF STUDENT ART ARE $7 EACH.
Limited quantities of the 2026 Cooperative Calendar of Student Art are available at participating electric cooperative offices across the state.
The price includes shipping and Indiana sales tax. Make the check payable to “Indiana Electric Cooperatives.” Send your order to Indiana Electric Cooperatives, 11805 Pennsylvania Street, Carmel, IN 46032. 2026 CALENDA PRODUCE D BY
Cover art by
Orders can also be submitted online at goiec.org/calendar.
Jane Olsen, kinderg arten division
winner
R
INDIANA CONNECT
ION FOR INDIANA
STUDENT ART
’S ELECTRIC COOPERA
TIVES
• Bartholomew County REMC • Carroll White REMC • Clark County REMC • Daviess-Martin County REMC • Dubois REC • Fulton County REMC • Harrison REMC • Heartland REMC • Jasper County REMC • Jay County REMC
• JCREMC • Kankakee Valley REMC • Kosciusko REMC • LaGrange County REMC • Marshall County REMC • Newton County REMC • Noble REMC • Orange County REMC • RushShelby Energy • Whitewater Valley REMC • WIN Energy REMC
JANUARY 2026
13
Indiana eats
ASPASIA COFFEE AND BAKE SHOP is making gluten-free dreams come true By Stephanie Bernaba
For anyone navigating life without gluten, the search for tasty treats that don't disappoint seems neverending. Between the dry cookies, crumbly cakes, and gritty bread, many gluten-free options fail to stand up — both figuratively and literally. Eva Tomlinson, who knew this frustration intimately, embarked on a journey to fix that.
SEEING AN OPPORTUNITY When Tomlinson retired from trade compliance in January 2020, the pandemic lockdown gave her plenty of time to bake. The catch? She couldn't eat any of it. "I wanted to figure out how to make gluten-free products because I couldn’t find any gluten-free products that I liked," Tomlinson recalled. After six months of meticulous experimentation, she developed two proprietary flour blends (bread and cake) that transformed both her retirement and her life. Friends who tasted her creations expressed both shock and delight, as they couldn't discern that they were gluten-free — the highest compliment a gluten-free baker can receive. More importantly, her friends and loved ones believed her baked goods were delicious enough to sell.
14 JANUARY 2026
By October 2022, Aspasia Coffee and Bake Shop opened its doors in Zionsville, backed by a separate production kitchen that launched months earlier. Today, the completely dedicated gluten-free facility serves a remarkably diverse menu. Morning pastries, cinnamon rolls, and breakfast casseroles give way to flatbreads, soups, and salads throughout the day. Custom cakes elevate weddings and celebrations, while Hawaiian and dinner rolls ship frozen nationwide.
CREATING FOR HER CUSTOMERS What sets Aspasia apart isn't just her gluten-free guarantee — it's Tomlinson's relentless pursuit of perfection and gracious responsiveness to her customers. "I listen to my customers," Tomlinson explained. "If they say, ‘I really want to try this,’ I give it a whirl. And, many times, it's turned into something that we offer on a regular basis." When someone requests a new flavor or item, she labors intensely to bring their idea to life. Magic bars were added to the permanent menu in this way, as was an impressive croquembouche for a recent wedding. "We're pretty tenacious," Tomlinson said, "so if we set our mind to something, we make it work."
This customer-centered approach extends to accommodating various dietary needs. Approximately 90 percent of Aspasia's offerings are dairy-free in addition to being gluten-free, with fully vegan options also available.
CONTINUED GROWTH The business has flourished, with wholesale accounts now comprising half of her sales. Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis serves Aspasia products through its catering partner. And this month, she will be adding various bagel sandwiches to the menu. Aspasia’s customer base has become so vast that Tomlinson is developing both loyalty and subscription programs. With every perfectly crafted pastry, Tomlinson proves that onceelusive gluten-free dreams can become reality.
ASPASIA COFFEE AND BAKE SHOP aspasiabakeshop.com Aspasia Zionsville
3091 US-421, Zionsville, IN 46077 317-344-2169
Aspasia Carmel PRODUCTION KITCHEN
(Pick up only, no seating) 9830 N. Michigan Rd, Ste C. Carmel, IN 46032 317-663-4538
— ADVERTISEMENT —
discover the latest buzz about honey P
RAISED for its amazing ability to heal the body, the ancient “nectar of the gods” may just be a 21st century healing miracle — the closest thing we have to a “cureall” for dozens of ailments from heart disease and heartburn to insomnia, low libido, fatigue, cough and cold, headaches, and more. If you’re a weight-loss warrior, this gooey, golden syrup can even help flatten your belly and whittle your waist! Surprisingly, 50% of Americans have this nourishing nectar in their kitchen cupboard. Chances are, you do, too, but you haven’t even begun to tap into its healing powers. More than a sweetener for tea and toast, this ancient superfood has been scientifically shown to help:
Prevent blood sugar swings Stop Insomnia Improve regularity — no constipation Heal cuts and scrapes Ease asthma and allergies
SW E E T FACT
Inside your FREE BOOK you’ll discover 30 different healing varieties of honey — each with unique and remarkable “do your body good” powers. For example: Researchers at the Universiti Sains Malaysia reported dozens of studies found tualang honey can halt the growth of some cancer cells.
SW E E T FACT
Ease tension Send pain packing Blast body fat Relieve heartburn Fight wrinkles MUCH MORE!
Approximate amount of honey each person in the U.S. consumes every year.
Nature’s honey. Yes — the same honey that comes from a flower’s nectar consumed by the honeybee. In his new book, The Healing Powers of Honey, bestselling author Cal Orey draws on interviews with doctors, researchers, and beekeepers to reveal the true power of this golden nectar. Before you start plucking honey from your cupboard and adding it to your food or downing it by the spoonful, order your FREE COPY of The Healing Powers of Honey.
Number of flowers it takes for honeybees to make 1 pound of honey.
Then there’s the popular manuka honey, which can help you beat antibioticresistant MRSA and staph bacteria. Research shows manuka has a high antibacterial potency — great for treating skin infections and aiding digestion. But . . .
1.31 POUNDS
Not all honey is the same . . .
2 MILLION
There’s one little trick you must know before you use it. Make sure it’s medicalgrade manuka honey. Find out how to tell if it’s the real deal in The Healing Powers of Honey.
And when you want to increase the number of healthy antioxidants in your body . . . Try buckwheat honey. One study showed healthy men who drank water with buckwheat honey had a 7% boost in their antioxidant levels. This isn’t the only honey to power up antioxidant levels. Discover the two other varieties on page 74 of your FREE BOOK. (Hurry, claim it today before all the FREE copies are gone!) The Healing Powers of Honey doesn’t just give you the buzz on one, two, or three varieties of honey. Nope, it gives you the scoop on 30 different healing varieties so you know exactly which one, how much, and how to use it for what’s ailing you.
Wait until you see how much healing with honey is packed inside this breakthrough new book . . .
EXCLUSIVE OFFER: Get your FREE copy of The Healing Powers of Honey Toll free: 800-657-5841 Go online: YourBookOffer.com/Honey7 See website for terms, conditions, and eligibility for this offer. A $4.95 shipping and handling fee applies.
safety GENER AT OR S A FET Y: Avoid carbon monoxide poisoning
B E P RE PA RE D
for winter storms
outages, but using them improperly can cause carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
• Never run a generator,
By Chris Adam
Winter in Indiana often brings heavy
Generators are useful during
grill, camp stove, or any
snow, freezing rain, ice storms and
EMERGENCY KITS FOR HOME AND CAR
fuel-burning device inside
strong winds. These conditions
Having storm kits ready at home and in
not only create travel hazards
basement, or other
your vehicle can make a big difference
but can also cause electrical
enclosed space.
if you’re stuck inside for days or
dangers, warns Indiana’s electric
stranded on the road.
cooperatives.
your home, garage,
• Operate generators and store fuel outdoors, at
At home, stock at least two weeks
“Safety around electricity should be
least 20 feet away from
of supplies, including bottled water,
doors, windows, and
top of mind year-round,” said John
nonperishable food, emergency
garages.
Cassady, CEO of Indiana Electric
blankets, first aid supplies, flashlights,
Cooperatives. “In the winter, snow
a battery-powered or hand-crank radio,
and ice on power lines can cause
extra batteries, and basic toiletries.
them to snap or lead to broken
For your vehicle, pack at least three
CO buildup. Because
days of essentials such as blankets,
CO cannot be seen or
warm clothes, jumper cables, bottled
smelled, it can quickly
water, nonperishable food, sand or cat
cause illness or death.
poles. That’s why people must stay alert to the risks of downed power lines.”
• Opening doors and windows or running fans will not prevent
POWER LINE SAFETY
litter for traction, backup batteries, and
Keep these tips in mind if you
phone chargers.
encounter downed lines:
IF THE POWER GOES OUT
home, on every level, and
• Stay at least 35 feet away —
If an outage occurs, conserve heat by
outside sleeping areas for
about the length of three cars.
keeping doors closed to unused rooms
early warning.
• Never touch the line or anything touching it. • Call 911 immediately and warn others to keep clear. • Always assume the line is live and dangerous.
16 JANUARY 2026
and limiting trips outside. Also remember food safety. Once a refrigerator rises above 40 degrees, perishable foods may become unsafe. Keep refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible to help food last longer.
• Install CO alarms in central areas of your
Transform Your Bathroom and Change Your Life.
Premium Quality, Professional Style, & Innovation Installation Included
Lifetime Warranty
Easy to Use
Made in Tennessee
Bubbles, Massage Jets, & More
FREE TOILET + $2,000 OFF* Your New Walk-In Tub
For your FREE information kit and our Senior Discounts, Call Today Toll-Free
Learn More about our new Stairlifts!
1-800-259-0392 Visit YourSafeStepTub.com *Offer expires 1/28/26. Free toilet with purchase and installation of a walk-in tub or walk-in shower only. Offer available while supplies last. No cash value. Must present offer at time of purchase. Cannot be combined with any other offer. Market restrictions may apply. Offer available in select markets only. CSLB 1082165 • NSCB 0083445 • 13VH11096000 • CGC1537181 • ROC 312990 • CCB 244331 • SAFESSW784PS • PA127501 • MHIC 134223 • TN 5887 • RL.884533 • RBB.49248 • UT 13229623-5501
food
Create your ideal rice bowl Unleash your culinary creativity with these tasty rice bowl recipes. Whether you love hearty chicken dishes or prefer colorful vegetarian options, these flavorful combinations are sure to satisfy your cravings and fill you up.
CHICKEN BURRITO RICE BOWL Glenda Ferguson, Paoli
2 cups white rice, uncooked 4 chicken thighs, boneless, skinless, cut into small chunks
½ red onion, chopped into small pieces 2 limes 1 can black beans,
½ tsp paprika
drained and rinsed
½ tsp chili powder
1 large tomato, chopped
2 Tbsp oil
6 oz shredded cheese
2 cups corn, frozen
1 cup shredded lettuce
2 Tbsp cilantro, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
Prepare the rice according to package directions. Season the chicken with salt, pepper, paprika, and chili powder. Cook the chicken in the oil until browned. Add ½ cup of water to the pan. In a small container, add the corn, cilantro, and red onion. Season with salt and pepper. Squeeze the juice from one of the limes onto the corn, then mix it all together. To prepare the rice bowl, spoon rice and black beans on the bottom. Add the chicken over the rice and beans. Top with the corn mixture, tomato, cheese, and lettuce. Season with another lime over the top.
18 JANUARY 2026
FOOD PREPARED BY INDIANA CONNECTION STAFF PHOTOS BY KILEY LIPPS
food
VEGETARIAN POWER BOWL Kristie Bishop, West Lafayette
½ cup brown
¼ cup garbanzo
rice, cooked
beans, canned
¼ cup peas, frozen
¼ cup guacamole
¼ cup mushrooms,
¼ cup salsa
fresh or canned Prepare the rice according to package directions. Heat the cooked rice with the peas, mushrooms, and garbanzo beans until hot. Add guacamole and your favorite salsa. The bowl can be enjoyed with tortilla chips or your favorite other kind of chips.
F O R T H E B U F FA L O C H I C K E N
O T H E R I N G R E DIEN TS
SLOW COOKER BUFFALO CHICKEN RICE BOWLS
1.5 lbs boneless,
1½ cups ranch
Staff submitted
½ cup Frank's Red Hot Sauce
rice, uncooked
¼ cup melted butter
1 cup shredded carrots
1 tsp paprika
½ cup blue
skinless chicken breasts
1 tsp garlic powder
1 cup brown or white
cheese crumbles
½ tsp salt To cook the chicken, place the chicken at the bottom of the slow cooker. Add the buffalo sauce, melted butter, and spices on top. Toss everything gently to coat the chicken. Cook on low for 6-7 hours, or high for 2-3 hours. Shred and keep set to warm until ready to serve. Cook the rice according to the package directions. To assemble the bowls, add some rice, shredded buffalo chicken, and carrots to a bowl. Drizzle with the ranch dressing and top with blue cheese crumbles.
JANUARY 2026
19
One of the books available through the program was written by Dolly Parton herself. “A Coat of Many Colors” is based off of her popular song.
T he
LITTLE LIBRARY that could Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library celebrates 30 years of inspiration
Photos courtesy of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
By Julie Young
S
he is one of the most revered and celebrated multi-hyphenates of
all time. In addition to being a global music icon and an award-winning singer/songwriter with over 3,000 compositions in her catalog, she is also an accomplished actress, best-selling author, successful businesswoman, and the largest employer in Sevier County, Tennessee. But for millions of children, Dolly Parton is simply “The Book Lady,” a title she wears with pride.
20 JANUARY 2026
The library offers a bilingual program with English and Spanish books in 21 states.
Launched in 1995, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library works to spark a love of reading in children everywhere by gifting a high-quality, ageappropriate book free of charge each month from birth to age five. What began as a local program for a few hundred children in her home county became a national effort in 2000 and, since then, has expanded into an international initiative that delivers more than 3 million books each month to children across the United States, Canada, Australia, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. Since its inception, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has gifted over 300 million books worldwide and has no plans of slowing down any time soon. “You can never get enough books into the hands of enough children,” Parton said.
ONCE UPON A TIME As most fans of her music know, Parton grew up in a one-room cabin on a rural ridge in the Great Smoky Mountains near the town of Sevierville. While her mother, Avie Lee (née) Owens, took care of the home and cared for the children, her
Although she was a big dreamer with
However, it was her deep admiration
musical ambitions at a young age,
for her father, combined with an
Parton knew that her key to success
awareness of the doors that literacy
was staying in school and earning her
could open, that inspired the “Jolene”
diploma. She was proud to be the first
singer to create Dolly Parton’s
member of her family to graduate from
Imagination Library. It has evolved
high school. One day later, she moved
into the flagship program of The
to Nashville to start her music career,
Dollywood Foundation and has been
and the rest, as they say, is history.
recognized for improving literacy
father, Robert Lee Parton Sr., worked
After achieving unparalleled
as a sharecropper, tobacco farmer,
success in music and film, Parton
and occasional construction worker
sought ways to give back to others.
to keep his family clothed and fed.
She established The Dollywood
Despite never learning how to read or
Foundation in 1988 to inspire children
write, Parton described her father as
in her home county to achieve
one of the smartest men she had ever
educational success. She created
met and credited him with instilling
the Buddy Program, which offered a
in his children a sense of hard work,
$500 incentive to seventh and eighth-
humility, and pride. However, she also
grade students who graduated from
knew that his inability to read took an
high school. The program was so
emotional toll on him and crippled him
successful that it reduced the dropout
from reaching his full potential in life.
rate from 35 to 6%.
habits, kindergarten readiness, and supporting grade-level reading by the third grade. From its humble beginnings, the Imagination Library has experienced exponential growth over the past three decades. In the U.S. alone, the library reaches one in seven children under the age of five, which is not only an achievement that reflects remarkable growth, but also showcases the power of a simple, lifechanging gift: a book. continued on page 22
JANUARY 2026
21
The library offers a variety of books to children from birth to 5 years old.
known and respected program allowed her to combine many of her passions — early literacy, philanthropy, and communitybuilding partnerships — in the best possible way. “I have been promoting literacy my entire career, and a love of books and reading offers the foundation for literacy skills that set children up for future success,” she said. “Encouraging increased interaction
continued from page 21 “Before he passed away, my Daddy told me that the Imagination Library was probably the most important thing I had ever done,” Parton said. “And that’s saying a lot!”
provide additional support to
with children and their caregivers
expand access. They help fund and
around books and reading strengthens
coordinate statewide efforts while
their bond and promotes positive
supporting volunteers and staff to
brain development.”
ensure that all children — regardless
Although the Imagination Library has
of location — can benefit from free reading materials.
been available in Indiana for over 20 years, it has only been a statewide
SUPPORTING CHARACTERS
“The average cost of the program per
program since August 2023. Before
Naturally, Parton doesn’t do it
child, per month is $2.60 or around
that time, only 54 counties participated
alone. Although The Dollywood
$31 per child per year. In states
in the program, with many of these
Foundation covers the overhead and
where there is a state match, the
counties having limited coverage.
administration expenses, coordinates
cost decreases to $1.30 per child per
Today, every county in the state has
the Blue Ribbon Book Selection,
month to around $15 for the whole
an Imagination Library program, and
provides the secure online database,
year,” said Katie Mullins, community
thanks to the work of local and state
and manages ordering and fulfillment,
engagement coordinator for Dolly
partners, enrollment has doubled
the real heroes of Dolly Parton’s
Parton’s Imagination Library
over the past two years from 70,000
Imagination Library are the thousands
of Indiana.
to 138,000. To date, nearly 2.9
of local partners and organizations that have taken her dream and made it their own. Local program partners cover the wholesale cost of the books, as well as the postage to mail them, while also promoting the program and enrolling children in their communities. Statewide partners (where applicable)
22 JANUARY 2026
Mullins joined Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in 2023, bringing an extensive background in public
million books have been mailed to Hoosier children of all socioeconomic backgrounds.
libraries and a firm belief that every
Mullins said there is often a
child should grow up in a home
misconception about who is eligible to
filled with books. She said that the
take part in Dolly Parton’s Imagination
opportunity to be part of such a well-
Library, and the answer is, everyone!
The universality of the program is deeply personal to Parton. As a child, she knew her family struggled to make ends meet, but she didn’t realize how poor they were until they began receiving handouts from others. Because of that experience, Parton decided that the Imagination Library would be for every child and not merely for those “in need.” “After 30 years, we’ve seen the power of that decision. A universal program means that more books reach more children overall and, importantly, even more books find their way into the hands of children who need them the most,” Mullins said.
Give a child the gift of books Want to sign up the child in your life for the Imagination Library? Visit imaginationlibrary.com/check-availability to determine if the program is available in your area.
continued on page 24
JANUARY 2026
23
Parton reads to a group of children at the Library of Congress in 2018.
continued from page 23
chant, was one of Parton’s favorites as
respected early childhood experts.
a child, and she said she saw herself
Over the course of a three-day review,
in the title character. Each subsequent
the committee evaluates each title
book is thoughtfully selected through
and selects those that best represent
a carefully developed process, with
outstanding children’s literature.
age appropriateness as the guiding
Books with political, overtly religious,
principle. Selections also reflect the
or polarizing themes are excluded
“They’ve all shared the experience
values of The Dollywood Foundation
to keep the focus on the mission:
of reading the same books, creating
and Parton herself — love, respect,
to inspire a love of reading. Parton
a sense of connection and leveling
appreciation, kindness, and empathy.
herself is the author of two books in
the playing field for every child,”
Braille and audio Imagination Library
the Library: “I Am a Rainbow”, which
Mullins said.
books are also available through a
discusses the various moods a child
partnership with the American Printing
experiences, and “Coat of Many
House for the Blind (APH).
Colors,” a literary version of her hit
Another beautiful outcome is that children, regardless of their socioeconomic status, start kindergarten on a more level playing field.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT BOOKS When children sign up for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, the first book they receive is “The Little Engine That Could” by Watty Piper. The story of a little train’s optimism and hard work, embodied in its “I think I can”
24 JANUARY 2026
According to Mullins, each year, the library’s exclusive publisher, Penguin Random House, presents new children’s titles to the book selection committee, a group of highly
song about bullying and acceptance.
A SUCCESS BY ANY MEASURE Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades, including
By the numbers the 2000 Honors Award from
time “The Book Lady” sends out
the Association of American
another story. Some parents
Publishers and the 2012 Best
cherish the smile and squeal that
Practices Award from the Library
accompany each new arrival,
of Congress. Although her own
while others note how their child’s
children were older when Dolly
confidence grows with every story.
Parton’s Imagination Library
1995 The year the Imagination Library was founded
OVER 300 MILLION
Parton understands that parents
was launched in her county, Mullins has a niece and nephew in Tippecanoe County who are eager participants in the program.
The number of books gifted worldwide
and caregivers are a child’s first
since the library’s inception
teacher, and they set the course
OVER 138,000
for developing their child’s love of books and reading. She also
“My niece stops everything when
knows that reading to a child from
it is time to get her new book from
birth to age five not only promotes
the mailbox, and immediately her
their future reading ability, but also
parents have to read it to her,”
their academic success.
Mullins said. “Then at bedtime, she eagerly snuggles in to once again read her new book.”
The number of Hoosier children enrolled in the program
NEARLY 2.9 MILLION The number of books gifted to
“The first step is always the
Hoosier children so far
hardest,” Parton said, “but if you can read, you can teach yourself
It’s an experience that is replayed
$2.60
anything!”
The cost of the program for each
countless households every
child per year
FINALLY ... LIFE INSURANCE YOU CAN AFFORD TOTAL OFFER
DETAILS
BUY $100,000 LIFE INSURANCE
FREE INFORMATION
G LO BE LIFE A N D ACCIDENT INSUR A NCE CO M PA N Y
7460
O ne Hundred T ho u s a n d D o lla r s
PAY THE AMOUNT OF
MONTHLY RATES AS LOW AS: ADULTS: $3.49 CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN: $2.17 SCAN TO VISIT US ONLINE
EASY TO BUY NO MEDICAL EXAM - SIMPLE APPLICATION NO WAITING PERIOD BUY DIRECT SCAN QR CODE FOR A FREE QUOTE
$ 1 0 0 ,0 0 0 .0 0 N o n -N e g o tia b le
For Immediate Service Call 1-800-553-6555 Or Visit StartGlobeProtection.com
100,000 Adult Life Insurance
$
• Rate schedule is based on your current age and is guaranteed for the life of the policy. • Monthly rates as low as $3.49. • Coverage is also available for your spouse and other family members. • Benefits will NEVER be canceled or reduced for the life of the policy if premiums are paid on time. Policy Form #SRTCV/SRTCV R13 or R17, or #SRTCV90MA in MA
$
PERSONAL OFFER CODE:
XCCX1682
30,000 Children’s Life Insurance
• Rates are based on your children’s or grandchildren’s present age and never increase for any reason. • Monthly rates as low as $2.17. • Benefits will NEVER be reduced or canceled if premiums are paid on time. • Give your children a financial head start right now. Your policy builds CASH VALUE for your family’s needs. Policy Form #GWL2001 or GWLA001
(Offer may vary, $100,000 coverage not available in all states.)
CHOOSE $5,000, $10,000, $20,000, $30,000 OR UP TO $100,000 COVERAGE JANUARY 2026
25
Best of Indiana
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
Indiana Connection Readers’ Choice Awards
Best of
a n a i Ind
made your nomination. Use an additional piece of paper if needed.
BED AND BREAKFAST/COUNTRY INN:
BREWERY:
CAMPGROUND:
COMMUNITY FESTIVAL:
Indiana Connection wants to recognize some of our readers’ favorite places in
LIVE THEATER:
an upcoming “Best of Indiana” feature. To nominate your favorites, fill out the form below and mail it to Indiana
MUSEUM:
Connection at 11805 Pennsylvania Street, Carmel, IN 46032. You can also submit your nominations online at
PLACE TO TAKE THE KIDS:
indianaconnection.org/2026-best-ofindiana-awards. Nomination forms are due by
RESTAURANT:
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
TENDERLOIN SANDWICH (NAME THE SPECIFIC PLACE):
us showcase some of the places that make the Hoosier State great!
WINERY/VINEYARD:
Name: Address: City:
State:
Phone:
Email:
Electric Cooperative:
26 JANUARY 2026
Zip code:
Get a FREE consultation! Call 833-694-4341
NEW YEAR SALES EVENT Save Big on Replacement Windows and Doors!
Buy One, Get One
40
% OFF
For a Limited Time, Get AND
45 OFF
$
All Windows and Doors1
Each Window and Door 1
MINIMUM PURCHASE OF 4
MINIMUM PURCHASE OF 4
AND NO Money Down | NO Monthly Payments | NO Interest for 12 months
1
MINIMUM PURCHASE OF 4 – INTEREST ACCRUES DURING PROMOTIONAL PERIOD BUT IS WAIVED IF PAID IN FULL WITHIN 12 MONTHS
TESTED, TRUSTED, AND TOTALLY PROVEN.2 Offer Ends 2/28/2026 Call for your FREE consultation.
833-694-4341 FINDYOURWINDOW.COM
DETAILS OF OFFER: Offer expires 2/28/2026. Not valid with other offers or prior purchases. Buy one (1) window or entry/patio door, get one (1) window or entry/patio door 40% off, and 12 months no money down, no monthly payments, no interest when you purchase four (4) or more windows or entry/patio doors between 1/5/2026 and 2/28/2026. 40% off windows and entry/patio doors are less than or equal to lowest cost window or entry/patio door in the order. Additional $45 off each window or entry/patio door, minimum purchase of four (4) required, taken after initial discount(s), when you purchase by 2/28/2026. Subject to credit approval.12month Promo Period: while no payments are due, interest accrues but is waived if the loan is paid in full before the Promo Period expires. Any unpaid balance owed after the Promo Period, plus accrued interest, will be paid in installments based on the terms disclosed in the customer’s loan agreement. Financing is provided by various financial institutions without regard to age, race, color, religion, national origin, gender, or familial status. Savings comparison based on purchase of a single unit at list price. Available at participating locations and offer applies throughout the service area. See your local Renewal by Andersen location for details. License numbers available at renewalbyandersen.com/license. Some Renewal by Andersen locations are independently owned and operated. 2Based on testing of 10 double-hung units per ASTM E2068 20 years after installation. †It is the only warranty among top selling window companies that meets all of the following requirements: easy to understand terms, unrestricted transferability, installation coverage, labor coverage, geographically unrestricted, coverage for exterior color, insect screens and hardware, and no maintenance requirement. Visit renewalbyandersen.com/nationsbest for details. ‡Review aggregator survey of 5-star reviews among leading national full-service window replacement companies. January 2024 Reputation.com.“Renewal by Andersen” and all other marks where denoted are trademarks of Andersen Corporation. © 2026 Andersen Corporation. All rights reserved. RBA14201
1
Hoosier Energy news
A REASON TO
Members of the 2025 HEATS Lineman graduating class pose following the ceremony in French Lick on Oct. 17, 2025.
CELEBRATE
HEATS program honors 60 graduates The Hoosier Energy Apprenticeship Training & Safety
Hawhee of Southern Indiana Power; Jacob Pyne of UDWI
(HEATS) program held its 2025 graduation ceremony on
REMC; Ryan Chappell and Abrem Losekamp of Whitewater
Oct. 17 in French Lick.
Valley REMC; and Kyle Blann, Chase Donaldson, and Alex
It was the largest attendance at a graduation since 2022,
Schnepper of WIN Energy REMC.
when three years’ worth of graduates were honored due to
The Meter Program graduates: Waidus Hughes of AES;
COVID-19 restrictions.
Travis Uhl of Clark County REMC; Andrew Korte of Harrison
The 2025 ceremony had 60 graduates and 363 attendees. That brings the total number of HEATS graduates to 924 since the program’s inception in 1974, with another 184 apprentices currently enrolled across the disciplines of Line, Meter, Substation, MSR, and Fiber. Highlighting this year’s graduates were a trio of
REMC; Tom Gettinger and Lance Koontz of Henry County REMC; Steve D’Esposito, Clint House, Brandon Robinson, Jeremy Ruhe, Scott Smith, and Brent Stevenson of Hoosier Energy; and Eric Siebert of Whitewater Valley REMC. Substation Program graduates: Tony Bonham and Evan Goshorn of Hoosier Energy.
Academic Award winners:
The MSR Program graduates were: Thera Desmond,
• Jacob Pyne of Utilities District of Western Indiana REMC (UDWI) for the Lineman Program
Jessica Kaufer, Jamie Lundy, and Jessica Miller of Clark
• Brent Stevenson of Hoosier Energy in the Meter Program
REMC; Craig Adams and Elizabeth Kempf of Dubois REC;
• Tony Bonham of Hoosier Energy in the Substation Program
Melissa True of Henry County REMC; Cynthia Frainee
The 2025 Lineman Program graduates: Harley Applegate and Dylan Conrad of Clark County REMC; Jarrett Arvin and Dwain Jolliff of Daviess-Martin County REMC; Garret Berg of Dubois REC; Logan Murphy, Brandon Pace, and Derek Saunders of Harrison REMC; Jason Burton, Drew Horning, and Cory Murphy of Henry County REMC; Chad Campbell, Alex Hopf, and Colin Lane of Hoosier Energy; Kevin Huffman and Peyton Olds of Southeastern Indiana REMC; Jarrett
28 JANUARY 2026
County REMC; Karen Padgett of Daviess-Martin County Dave Satori of Harrison REMC; Heather Ferguson and and Kristin Ramirez of JCREMC; Brandyn Weaver of RushShelby Energy; Sara Waggoner of South Central Indiana REMC; Stacie Keppel, Robin Monday, and Steven Sieverding of Southeastern Indiana REMC; Andy Sommer of Southern Indiana Power; and Jessica Brown and Stacy Henry of UDWI REMC. The inaugural Fiber Program graduates: Paul Trenkamp of Decatur County REMC, and Aaron Allen and Tyler Wright of Southeastern Indiana REMC.
travel
powder FRESH
Snowy slopes cascading across 700 feet of tubing lanes at Koteewi Run have all the makings of the best winter day ever
Photos courtesy of Hamilton County Tourism
By Natalie Derrickson
Head north to Noblesville for
with getting up and
one of central Indiana’s hidden
onto their tubes on the
gems: Koteewi Run Seasonal
designated child lanes.
Slopes, located within Strawtown
As one of winter’s top spots
During the season, the slopes
in central Indiana, reserving your slope
are open Monday and Tuesday
Tubing season kicks off in
times early is encouraged,
from 5 to 9 p.m., Friday from
December, where fresh powder
as holiday and weekend dates often
5 to 10 p.m., Saturday from noon
is produced on-site, and runs
book up weeks in advance. On
to 10 p.m., and Sunday from
through March, weather permitting.
weekends and holidays, two-hour
1 to 8 p.m. Enjoy extra tubing
For blocks of two or four hours, a
sessions are $35 for riders aged
time on holidays — the slopes
custom-made, single-seater tube is
13 to 59 and $30 for those 12 and
are open from noon to 10 p.m.
yours to ride. Leave your favorite
under or 60 and older. Weeknight rates
For additional dates, details,
sled or tube at home — Koteewi
are $30 for all riders and allow for four-
directions, and online booking,
Run’s tubes are the only ones
hour tubing sessions. Season passes
visit kotewi-adventures.com.
welcome on the slopes. Take the lift
are just $140 for riders aged 13 to 59
line to the top of the slopes and revel
and $120 for all others, making repeat
in the thrill of your journey down the
visits an affordable reality.
Koteewi Park.
groomed tubing lane.
If you get chilly, warm up with a
Koteewi Run Seasonal Slopes
This family-friendly destination
snack and a hot beverage at the
makes tubing easy, and as long as
on-site concession stand or warming
kids can handle their tubing tasks
area. On-site restrooms offer space
solo, they can ride. For safety’s
to change, should you be heading
Noblesville, IN 46060
sake, tubes are single-rider only,
out for more adventures after your
kotewi-adventures.com
but parents can assist younger riders
reservation.
11800 Koteewi Dr.
JANUARY 2026
29
outdoors LON GIN G FO R
nostalgic snow days W
e live in a rural county,
ushering them out the door leads
shoveling doesn’t spoil the magic.
one known for its hills
to more education than having
I walk through my woods to the
and ravines, its hairpin turns and
them sit with a glowing screen as
creak of bending trees, the light
hidden culverts, its covered bridges
a companion. Now that I think of
whistles of the wind, and the lonely
taken at a walk, its narrow gravel
it, from personal experience in the
caws of crows, the latter bringing
roads still named by family rather
art of sledding, snow days taught
back memories of the poet Robert
than number.
me quite a bit about the physical
Frost and his line about the “dust
sciences of weight distribution,
of snow.” I catch sight of my breath
friction, and speed. There was time
in the crisp air, hear the crunch
to read, of course, and I loved that
of my boots in the yet unbroken
as my play clothes dried over a
snow crust, feel the bite of the raw
warm furnace register.
breeze as it reddens my now-
Not so long ago, wintertime nearly always gave us a day or two when we needed to shut down a while just to let the snowplows open the roads; it was, to us anyway,
wrinkled face.
a pleasant diversion from the
Now, as four-wheel drive becomes
usual. Schools were closed, soup
more commonplace, most of us can
Years ago, minus the wrinkles,
heated on the stove, the mail went
get to where we want to go. The
at a time when even flannel
undelivered, and our sleds came off
sight of unbroken snow on a road is
shirts, mismatched cotton gloves,
garage walls.
rare. The sound of revving engines
scratchy wool long johns, and
replacing the muffled silence of
bread wrapper-covered feet could
a day when it used to be so quiet
only go so far to keep me dry and
you could hear the lightest wisps of
warm, I think I already knew that
snowflakes on a coated shoulder.
snow days were a treasure.
I long for no blizzard, no downed power lines, no slide-offs into the ditches, but I do wish we could feel the same way for winter that we used to. Of course, now our
I still look forward to a day with
children and grandchildren must
snow. Retired, with fewer places I
atone for “snow days,” often in the
have to be, I enjoy my cup of coffee
form of “e-learning,” but I think that
by a cabin window. Even a little
30 JANUARY 2026
Mike Lunsford is a freelance columnist, feature writer, and photographer based in Parke County. Contact Lunsford at hickory913@gmail.com.
WWW.HCREMC.COM www.facebook.com/HenryCountyREMC www.twitter.com/HenryCountyREMC
36 FEBRUARY 2019