Beacon Apr 2024

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
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