the BEACON Newspaper, Indiana 3-18web | Page 14

Page 4B THE BEACON March 2018

BATESVILLE

By Sue Siefert

Community Correspondent

batesville @ goBEACONnews . com

Our local community joined the Batesville Area Chamber of Commerce in honoring the Hispanic Community Advisory Committee as the Organization of the Year , Jeanne Siefert as Community Volunteer of the Year , John Armbruster of Oldenburg Academy as Educator of the Year , at a banquet at Walhill Farm as hundreds gathered to salute their efforts . Congratulations to each for making a difference in our community !

Congratulations to Batesville ’ s firefighters and EMT ’ s who were honored during the Batesville Fire & Rescue awards ceremony . Service awards were presented to Adam Rynn and Casey Schomber for ten years of service and to Scott Davidson for fifteen years . Steve Macke was recognized for his retirement after thirty-nine years .

Additional honorees were

O ur

Shown are Mayra Adams of the Hispanic Community Advisory Committee , Jeanne Siefert , John Armbruster .

Matt Hertel who received the Fire Chief ’ s Award , Donovan Imel named EMT of the Year ; Casey Schomber earning the Firefighter of the Year designation .

Special recognition was given by Jason Smith of the Indiana Department of Homeland Security Office of the State Fire Marshal , as he presented Medals of Valor to firefighters Andrew Gerdowsky and Trevor Fischmer for their heroism during an apartment building fire in February in which they helped rescue a young boy from the fire that ultimately left the structure as a total loss .

Volunteers are the backbone of any community . Batesville is truly blessed to have these fine individuals among its residents .

That ’ s Sue ’ s news for now !

Communities

Congratulations to Chloe Dearwester and Raegan Briggs for making history and securing their spots for state .

S HARRISON

By Nicole Williams

Community Correspondent

harrison @ goBEACONnews . com

Spring is just around the corner here in Harrison as we hold out hope for this sporadic weather to be behind us . I have heard , read such positive feedback regarding the maintenance of our town concerning ice , snow removal , SW schools communicating delays and snow days . One “ snow day ” story

OLDENBURG

By Sue Siefert

Community Correspondent

Harrison Firefighter and Paramedic Cle Weipzel , rescues a family pet from an icy neighborhood pond .

includes a 6-year-old Australian shepherd , Lester , who fell through the ice into a neighborhood pond during a routine walk . Owner JoAnn Rowland , called 911 as Lester clung twenty feet out from the shore to ice for twentyfive minutes until Harrison fire crews arrived for the rescue . Firefighters in special suits used a ladder to retrieve the animal , escorted him to Harrison Animal Hospital . I am happy to share Lester has made a full recovery . Thank you again , Harrison Fire Department !

Harrison is proud to be the home of Athena Wrestling Club , the first All-Girls wrestling club in the tri-state . Their mission is to bring together all girls to learn the sport of wrestling . The opportunity for girls to get out there and wrestle at a high school level is really growing with such a positive enthusiasm . Congratulations to Chloe Dearwester and Raegan Briggs for making history , securing their spot for state at this past Mason Tournament !

I would love to hear from you about any personal milestones or community happenings . Please feel free to reach me at Harrison @ goBEA- CONnews . com free prom dresses Dearborn County Recycling Center REPROM DRESS EXCHANGE

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oldenburg @ goBEACONnews . com

Winter in the ‘ Burg is scenic with its rolling hills dusted

Chris Merkel enjoying his work and passion for farming .

with snow . While activities slow down , our farmers continue working as they care for their land and animals so we may have food on our tables .

I was fortunate to spend time on my grandparents , Martin and Teresa Prickel ’ s farm and realized the love they shared for farming . They passed away decades ago and I had almost forgotten about how passionate farmers can be … until I started working for the Sisters and met Chris Merkel , Michaela Farm Manager .

I help to raise funds for the Sister ’ ministries , including the Farm –, that ’ s how I met Chris and began to appreciate his farming passion . Chris brought the principles of caring for the land to life . I learned about the importance

of natural farming practices , earth worms , clean water , crop rotation , and soil enhancing through movable chicken coops . I saw the pain in his eyes when a baby calf died and the joy when rain finally fell on parched fields . His days were long but his heart was full as crops were harvested as the seasons passed . Chris has chosen a new path in his farming career and his passion will be missed in the ‘ Burg as he continues to share his farming knowledge elsewhere .

In caring for the land for future generations , one must ask if decisions being made today will be beneficial for our descendants . Future generations will definitely benefit from Chris ’ passion .

Das ist alles von der ’ Burg !

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