We're "ON" It! - The Owen News

To increase awareness and provide additional services to residents of Owen County, Area 10 Agency on Aging Dementia Outreach Specialist Amy Guerrettaz collaborates with organizations such as Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource Service and Dementia Friendly Indiana. Guerrettaz also offers free confidential memory screenings by appointment.

A memory screening is a simple and safe “healthy brain check-up" that tests memory and other thinking skills. The National Memory Screening Program is an initiative of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. To schedule a memory screening at Area 10 Agency on Aging in Ellettsville, call 812-935-2582.

Area 10 also offers free Dementia Friendly Business training throughout Owen County. Organizations can demonstrate their commitment to empowering those living with dementia and their care partners by becoming a Dementia Friendly Business. For additional details, call 812-935-2582 or email aguerrettaz@area10agency.org.

Currently, Alzheimer’s and Dementia Resource Service provides Navigating Aging and Dementia classes at the Owen County Public Library every other month. These classes are designed to help individuals maximize their own self-care and learn new skills for supporting a loved one living with dementia. For more information or to register, contact Dayna Thompson at dthompson6@iuhealth.org or 812-353-9299.

Upcoming class dates and topics include: April 11, Understanding Brain Change – Normal vs. Not Normal Aging; June 11, Positive Physical Approach and Hand-Under-Hand; Aug. 8, Building a Support Team; Oct. 10, Connecting for Success; and Dec. 10, Care Partner Stress Management.

Growing up in Owen County, I have vivid memories of visiting Owen County Public Library (OCPL), only I wasn’t there for books, I was there to check out the VHS of the musical Annie for the hundredth time. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined myself as the future director of the library.

The love of reading did not come naturally to me. My older sister could and would read anything put in front of her, while I could barely sound out simple words. My grandparents and parents rushed into action and found a tutor to help me. After more after-school tutoring sessions than I could count, I could figure out the words on the page, but that zest for reading still wasn’t there. And then it happened!

I feel like most avid readers are either born that way or can tell you the moment they become readers. For me, it hit my seventh-grade year at Owen Valley Middle School. I don’t know if it was having my first author visit, working at the student bookstore or hearing Darla Staley read aloud with all the character voices, but for the first time, books weren’t just piles of pages with ink on them. Books were suddenly alternate worlds that I wanted to be a part of. Almost immediately, I knew two things: I wanted to read every book I could, and I wanted to grow up and be one of the people who helped others want to read! So that is what I did, I went to school to be an English teacher.

After graduating from Indiana University, I was fortunate enough to get the job of my dreams, teaching language arts at Owen Valley Middle School (OVMS). Not only did I get my wish to show others the joy of reading, but I would get to do so in the place and with the programs that made me a reader.

I was re-introduced to the library after I started teaching at the Lifelong Learning Center (LLLC), the library’s adult education program, where I just celebrated my 10th anniversary. The LLLC offers a range of classes, from high school equivalencies to laser printing, digital literacy and Microsoft certifications, just to brush the surface. Being a part of adult education gave me a new perspective on the library system; it showed me that a library is more than a place to check out a book or movie, but rather a hub of knowledge and learning.

Looking forward, I cannot express how proud and privileged I feel to continue the legacy of OCPL. At any given moment, the library building is abuzz with patrons looking for books, using computers, learning new skills and even playing instruments. Some are even looking for movies like I did. I am constantly amazed by all the talents of the staff, seamlessly jumping from assisting one person to another. With their dedication, I know OCPL will continue to grow and serve the ever-changing needs of our community.

To quote Little Orphan Annie, “I think I’m gonna like it here.”

As the community gears up for an exciting season of learning and creativity, several SPARK clubs and workshops are set up to ignite curiosity and skill-building among participants of all ages. Here’s a sneak peek into the upcoming events:

Entomology SPARK Club

Dive into the fascinating world of insects with the Entomology SPARK Club! This club offers hands-on experiences in identifying, collecting and studying various insects. Perfect for budding entomologists and nature enthusiasts, this club provides a unique opportunity to explore the miniature world of insects. This will take place on May 29 and May 31.

Sewing SPARK Club

Unleash your creativity with the Sewing SPARK Club. Whether you're a beginner or have some sewing experience, this club provides a supportive environment to learn and enhance your sewing skills. From basic stitches to creating your own garments, participants will enjoy a range of projects that cater to all skill levels. The last two sessions will take place on April 24 and May 12.

Gingerbread Creation Workshop

This workshop is a delightful opportunity for 4-H members to design and decorate their own gingerbread houses. With a variety of candies and icing at your disposal, let your imagination run wild and create a gingerbread masterpiece! Attendees will walk away with a project they could display as a 4-H project at the Owen County Fair! Stay tuned for the date!

Needle Craft Workshop

Explore the art of needlework in the Needle Craft Workshop. Participants will have the chance to create beautiful, handcrafted items while learning the intricacies of needlecraft. The workshop provides all necessary materials and guidance, making it accessible for beginners and experienced crafters alike. Stay tuned for the date!

Mini 4-H Mess Makers

For the younger crowd, the Mini 4-H Mess Makers club is a fantastic way to get hands-on with fun and messy projects. Designed for 4-H members in K-2 grade, this club encourages creativity and exploration through activities like painting, slime, play doh and more. It's all about having fun while learning new skills! Stay tuned for the dates!

Electricity Workshop

Spark your interest in science with the Electricity Workshop. This workshop offers an interactive experience where participants can learn about the principles of electricity and circuits. Through engaging in experiments and projects, you'll gain a deeper understanding of how electricity powers our world. Stay tuned for the date!

Photography Workshop

Capture the beauty around you with the Photography Workshop. Whether you're a novice or an experienced photographer, this workshop provides tips and techniques to improve your photography skills. The workshop covers the basics of camera operation and more advanced techniques for capturing different types of images, offering guided photo walks to practice skills. Stay tuned for the date!

Bridges to Adventure SPARK Club

Prepare for the great outdoors with the Bridges to Adventure SPARK Club, focusing on survival skills. It's an excellent opportunity for adventure seekers to gain confidence and knowledge in outdoor survival. The last session is on May 17th.

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These 4-H SPARK clubs and workshops are designed to inspire and educate, offering something for everyone. Don't miss out on the chance to learn new skills, meet like-minded individuals and have a great time. Mark your calendars and get ready to embark on a journey of discovery and creativity! Have any questions or are you interested in any of these programs? Stop by the Purdue Extension Office or follow us on Facebook by searching Purdue Extension-Owen County or Owen County 4-H – Indiana.

How often have you seen a sign along an old country road that reads, ”Brown  eggs for sale?”

A long time ago, I saw such a sign while out for a casual country drive.

There’s a certain amount of romance to be found in brown eggs for sale in the country. It brings to mind pictures of long, hot summer days in June, the smell of fresh cut hay and a backyard full of chickens.

It was a sign such as this that planted the idea of having my own chickens.

When I was a younger adult, I lived in the country on several acres. One day, I decided that it was time for a henhouse to be built and for some baby chicks to be ordered to put into the henhouse. And so, it began.

Lumber was found from the remnants of an old shed for the chicken coop. Next, little nest boxes were built, along with a little door for the chickens to go in and out. Chicken wire fencing was placed around the henhouse to protect the chickens from predators. And fresh straw for the nest boxes.

I ordered some chicks from the local hardware store. I learned that Rhode Island Reds were the chickens that laid brown eggs. So, I ordered 25 Rhode Island red chicks.

While waiting on the chicks to arrive, I kept myself busy by ordering things that I needed: a heat lamp to keep the chicks warm, chick feeders and waterers, and feed.

I found an old box and layered it with newspaper to keep the chicks dry. It seemed like a lot of money, but I figured that I’d get my money back when I start selling eggs.

At last, the much anticipated chick day arrived. I drove into town to the hardware store to pick up my chicks and then headed home.

The first few days with my new chicks was wonderful. They chirped, ate and slept. They grew fast and soon it was time to move them into the chicken house.

I quickly settled into a routine, feeding my chickens and checking for eggs every morning. An unforeseen problem developed though. Not all of the chickens were hens. There were a few roosters in the batch! I separated the boys from the girls, and I was back in business.

I’ll never forget the exhilaration that I felt the first time I found the first brown egg in a nest box. I gingerly picked it up from the nest and proudly carried it into the house.

After a few days, I started finding more and more eggs. It wasn’t long until my refrigerator started overflowing with brown eggs.

I realized that I had to start marketing my eggs.

I made a sign that read “brown eggs for sale” and strategically placed it at the end of my driveway. Days went by without a phone call. Why wasn’t the phone ringing off the hook with egg orders? I didn’t know the answer to that question, but I did know that I had eggs everywhere.

I had to start giving eggs away to my friends and family. They ended up with a bunch of eggs in their refrigerators too.

I decided to go talk to some people that I knew that raised chickens and sold eggs. I started out the next morning to go to their home. After I arrived in their driveway, I went to the door, and knocked. My friend came to the door and asked if she could help me. I quickly told her that I had seen her sign advertising eggs for sale and that I wondered if she was still selling them. She said that a few years ago, she got the idea to raise chickens and to sell eggs. She said her chickens laid so many eggs that she couldn’t find enough buyers for them. She said that she finally had to get rid of all her chickens.

I thought I’d faint when she asked me if I wanted to buy some brown eggs. I shook my head no and left.  Some kind of mumbling sounds could be heard coming out of my mouth as I made my way back to my car.

I got out of the chicken business after that. I can tell you that in the future, if I see a sign that says “brown eggs for sale” I’ll probably stop and buy a dozen. And with the price of eggs these days, that’s something to think about. After all, there’s a certain amount of romance to be found in brown eggs for sale in the country.

Who said romance is dead?

Happy Easter!
– Susan

When I published my first article in September of 2006, the idea of being enshrined in a hall of fame for my work in outdoor media was not something I imagined. When I received the news of my induction in the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame, I was shocked. It’s a humbling honor I never expected. I’m grateful for the recognition, but more so view it as a responsibility to further increase my efforts of promoting and protecting our natural resources, and the enjoyment of the great outdoors for as long as God will allow.

My love of nature has always been evident and has continued to grow in strength over my 46 years. Early camping trips to Indiana State Parks laid the foundation of seeking adventure in nature. Fishing trips with my grandparents to the northern reaches of Wisconsin and Minnesota began at eight-years-old. They introduced me to the excitement of exploring new destinations. I’ve chased that carrot ever since. Never able quench my thirst for fishing new lakes, paddling new rivers and exploring forests and prairies I’d never met before.

My journey over the past 20 years has taken me on adventures beyond my boyhood imagination. I left Indiana after graduating from Purdue University and headed to Colorado. My stay was short before moving to Montana. I consider my four years under the Big Sky the adventure of my lifetime, but I found my place in Missouri. The last 15 years here have been filled with outdoor adventure. The Missouri Model of Conservation sets the bar for the rest of the country. The incredible diversity of high-quality opportunities here ranks Missouri right at the top of places to live if you love to fish and hunt.

I am without question an outdoors generalist. I love it all. If the season is open and someone wants to go, I’m interested. I fish all year, hunt turkeys, shed antlers and mushrooms in the spring, and just about everything else in the fall. As I have noted in previous columns, I’m enjoying the pursuit of a personal quest to successfully hunt in every state by the time I turn 50. Hunting is just the vehicle I’m using to meet incredible people while exploring as much of our beautiful country as possible.

It's the people and places I’m most interested in. I have never aspired to be a how-to writer. Instead, I prefer to focus on the “why.” Why should you visit this destination? Why should you consider this way of fishing or hunting? Why should you care about clean water? Why does it matter to conserve wildlife and native habitats? My hope is to motivate an audience to care about our shared natural resources, then to go out and explore for themselves with just enough information to get started. I wholeheartedly believe the journey is the destination. My hope has always been that my audience uses the information I share and advice I give to help figure it out and make the most of it with their tribe.

The list of people I owe gratitude for the opportunities I have been given and others for their involvement along the way is far, far too long to attempt. I certainly wouldn’t be where I am today if not for the love and support of my family. My parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles, brother and cousins all played a role in my early development as an outdoorsman. Friends along the way have joined me on countless adventures. None more so than my current partner in Driftwood Outdoors, Nathan “Shags” McLeod. My daughters, Bailee and Annabel, have given me the joy of sharing time outdoors with my children. There is no greater gift. 

Most of all, I want to thank you. Everyone who has read my columns over the last 19 years has given me the opportunity to live a dream come true. If anything, I’m persistent, as I haven’t missed a week yet, and I don’t plan to anytime in the future.

I grew up reading outdoor columns in the local newspaper. I studied fishing and hunting magazines, owned some of the first VHS hunting tapes and attended as many seminars as possible. To emulate those early icons of my life has been amazing. All of you have given me the chance. Thank you.

See you down the trail…

For more Driftwood Outdoors, check out the podcast on driftwoodoutdoors.com or anywhere podcasts are streamed.