Beacon Apr 2024

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Page 10B THE BEACON April 2024 Drug overdoses caused over 100,000 deaths in 2021, most involving opioids. Thanks to a partnership between Indiana University and Dearborn County Health Department, you can help decrease the risk of overdose deaths in your community and by signing up for a free 30-minute online Naloxone (Narcan) training. Visit go.iu.edu/naloxone to register or learn more. Email naloxone@iu.edu for specific questions. Are you ready, willing, and able to become a citizen responder? • Enroll in the Citizen Opioid Responders (COR) program for FREE and receive a certificate of completion • Get FREE naloxone/NARCAN from the Dearborn County Health Department when you show your certificate of completion • Carry naloxone/Narcan on your person • Learn how to respond to PulsePoint Medical Alerts in real-time and help save a life! Timely administration of naloxone/NARCAN can mean the difference between life or death in a opioid overdose medical event. To qualify for training, you must live or work in Dearborn County. Get it All at www.goBEACONnews.com
April 2024 THE BEACON Page 11B VERSAILLES/ RIPLEY CTY By Cheryl Damon- Greiner Community Correspondent versailles@goBEACONnews.com Randy Travis had a song out in the early 2000s called Heroes and Friends. The lyrics went “They’ll both stand beside you thru thick and thru thin, And that’s how it goes with heroes and friends.” As I look around Ripley County and beyond, I am proud to live among so many heroes and friends in our midst. Let’s start with the Polar Plunge that took place last month on the coldest day in February. With a winter advisory the night before, snow on the ground, and temperatures that stayed below freezing, hundreds of friends came to watch their heroes wade into the icy cold lake in Versailles State Park, all for the benefit of the Special Olympics organization. High school kids with teachers, teams of co-workers, multigeneration family groups, and inspiring individuals raised at least $99 for the chance to be thrilled by the chill for the benefit of others who need some support. Going from Polar to Solar- Total Solar Eclipse, that is. In just a few weeks, thousands of people are forecasted to be coming to our area to see a rare, awe-inspiring, total eclipse of the sun. With Versailles and parts of Ripley County in the path of total coverage, welcome mats are being spread by towns, businesses, and government entities. Check with Ripley County Tourism for the special events that are planned. First Responders and Emergency Management Agencies are working to make sure that our counties are ready to handle the crowds. Their behind-thescenes work will help visitors and home-towners alike, enjoy this rare event. We can all follow their good advice to enjoy the experience. Before the Eclipse: Anticipate increased traffic and congestion. Pack snacks and water, as well as charging cables for mobile devices, if you become stranded. Make sure your vehicle has a full tank of gas, and top off fluids in case you’re stuck in traffic for a long period. Don’t forget your solar eclipse viewing O ur glasses to avoid damaging your eyes. The DNR has approved glasses at Versailles State Park for $3 or 4/$10. During the Eclipse: Avoid travel during the eclipse if possible. Exit the roadway to view the solar eclipse. Do not stop along highways or park on the shoulder for viewing. Do not take photos or videos while driving. Indiana is a hands-free state. Holding mobile devices such as smartphones or tablets while driving is prohibited by state law. Do not wear eclipse glasses while driving (you’ll look silly). Turn on your headlights. After the Eclipse: If celebrating, ensure everyone has a safe way to get home. Designate a sober driver or arrange for alternate transportation. Be patient when leaving your viewing location as traffic may be heavy. I’ve heard from people who were at previous eclipse sites who say that two-hour trips home took six to seven hours. Follow instructions from law enforcement or emergency personnel, and be considerate of fellow drivers. Stay put and stick around to avoid the post-event rush. If you stop for food or gas, be kind to merchants and service people- they’re doing the best they can. The last total eclipse in Indiana was in 1869 so they don’t have a lot to refer to for best practices. Getting back to the heroes and friends theme, a group of guys who work together in Versailles call themselves Ripley County’s Infamous Few. Considering their generosity and the amount of good work they organize, they deserve to be famous. Their soft spots are for the elderly, veterans, and kids, according to Dave DeHamer and his business partner John Brison. These two gentlemen use their auto repair business to store a salvaged truckload of wrapping paper for Christmas gifts and other donations. They also organize the Ride for Yes Home to provide daily necessities for the children staying at the home. The event is for Jeeps, side by sides, and bikes. Of Communities Fire Chief Charlie Meisberger installing electrical Amish volunteer construc- Cherry Thing-A-Lings to Ben Smoker, one of the Becky Goodwin helped get lines in the new firehouse. tion team. Versailles customers. Girls just wanna have fun... for a good cause like the Polar The Infamous Few - Dave Plunge! DeHamer, John Brison, Jason Smith. course, they coordinate music perform all of the vital, lifesaving tasks that are needed house. In a matter of weeks, with top-name musicians after the run. As if their jobs and in emergencies. It’s unusual, there were walls, trusses, a charity work weren’t enough, though, when citizens volunteer to build the firefighters a new building that is so large roof, and a concrete floor for they’ve taken on the task of returning the Courthouse something that they truly it could hold several of the Days Car Show to Versailles need, like a new firehouse. old firehouse. Previously, the Square on June 22. Watch for But that is exactly what happened at New Marion Fire $800,000, which the small cost was estimated at over further information on Ripley County Tourism’s social Department on Michigan Rd fire department could never media. in Holton. The local Amish afford. With the free labor, the Communities can have bishop contacted Chief Charlie Meisberger with an offer like the song lyrics say, “And cost is a quarter of that. Just friendships, too. Batesville is well known for its Cherry to provide free labor to build that’s how it goes with heroes Thing-A-Lings and the long a much-needed, updated fire- and friends!” lines that people stand in to get their boxes of the annual treat. This year they sold another record of the yummy fritters – 254,880! Driving to Batesville and standing in line isn’t possible for many in the Versailles area. So, five years ago when we owned Pat’s Bulk Food, we worked out an arrangement with Bertie Schmidt to pick up Thing-A- Lings at night to sell in our store in Versailles. Every year, we literally sold thousands during the five days that we had them! Well, tradition and friendship continued with the new owners, Daniel Leonetti and Dustin Payne, and 2024 saw Versailles, once again, partnering with Batesville to keep their citizens on a weeklong sugar high! Firefighters are among the CONNECTIONS heroes that we all count on. And most rural fire departments count on volunteers to Wrap your home in warmth and speed CALL 800-737-4111 BINGO Every Friday at 7:00 P.M. Doors open at 6:00 P.M. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC VERSAILLES AMERICAN LEGION Lic. 000195 Ref #157971 Enter across from the post office Food available. seiremc.com/seifiber SHOP LOCAL and tell our advertisers you saw them in The BEACON!
Page 1 and 2: INSIDE The BEACON Fun for Everyone!
Page 3 and 4: April 2024 THE BEACON Page 3A This
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Page 7 and 8: April 2024 THE BEACON Page 7A Get i
Page 9 and 10: April 2024 THE BEACON Page 9A FROM
Page 11 and 12: By Jack Zoller beaconsports @live.c
Page 13 and 14: April 2024 THE BEACON Page 13A By J
Page 15 and 16: debbystutz.thebeacon@yahoo.com Apri
Page 17 and 18: April 2024 THE BEACON Page 3B HIDDE
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Page 21 and 22: April 2024 THE BEACON Page 7B O ur
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