the BEACON Newspaper, Indiana beacon12-18

21,500 distribution & growing! To advertise, call 812-637-0660 THE www.goBEACONnews.com The BEACON PUBLISHED MONTHLY SINCE 1994 December 2018 A National Holiday Icon is Coming to Harrison By Nicole Williams On Nov. 23, Harrison residents will have the rare opportunity to witness the U.S. Capital Tree make its way through downtown to be temporarily displayed near the Harrison Gazebo. This particular conifer is no small evergreen. The magnificent tree is a gift from the Willamette National Forest and the State of Oregon to the people of the United States. The tree will eventually continue its journey to the West Lawn of the Capital Building in Washington D.C., where the yearly public tree lighting ceremony will take place on Nov. 28. The U.S. Forest Service has the responsibility of providing the Capitol Christmas tree, and they have been doing so since 1970. The mission of the U.S. Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. This year’s tree is from the Sweet Home Ranger District. Sev- enty smaller companion trees will also be sent to Washington D.C. to deco- Batesville- A Community of Opportunity Good Old Days How one barn can mean so much. Page 12A Pumpkin 5K participants Tuong Doan, Guilford, Huong and Hannah Doan, West Harrison, and Riley Shumate, Logan, prepare for the race. BABA-Q and 5K A great community tradition. Sweet Fun! Lawrenceburg correspondent shares what is destined to be a tradition. Page 10B The Bright Area Business Association began planning over a year ago to make this year’s BABA-Q festivities better than ever. The day began with The Pumpkin 5K attended by eager runners and walkers alike. Proceeds from the event benefit the Bright Fire Dept., the North Dearborn Food Pantry, and other area nonprofit organizations. Debby and Don Stutz were out bright and early to ensure that the BABA-Q was another community success. Emily Oehler and Sarah Vollmer, Bright, get ready for a fun-filled Pumpkin 5K. Bebe Kinnett is all smiles while setting up for the BABA-Q festivities. A true Hero Milan family shares stories of bravery and Page 9B compassion. rate government buildings and smaller spaces. The 3,000-mile expedition will travel eastward from Oregon, stopping in cities along the way until it reaches the final destination. The Willamette National Forest, in partnership with Choose Outdoors, in- vited all Oregonians and visitors to par- ticipate in finding the perfect tree. The general requirements being that it would be around 65 to 85 feet in height with a conical shape that is pleasing from all angles. Oregon schools, churches Continued on page 3A Travel through Batesville, and the obvious pride residents have in their community will strike you. It is ap- parent from the way the properties are maintained, to the flowers spilling over the edges of the baskets. Even more apparent is the city’s investment in the quality of life. The event calendar for the city is filled with parades, concerts, and farmer’s markets. What makes this community so great? The dedication and efforts of community leaders and residents alike. The right people who can make things happen become involved. Take the community parks, for example. The current project is the development of Northside Park on three acres recently acquired through gifts and matching grants. The park, located on Six Pines Ranch Road, will complete the parks located throughout the community for all to enjoy. Concepts for trails connecting Mor- ris, Batesville, and Oldenburg are also under consideration. Mayor Mike Bet- tice is dedicated to making this happen. “The opportunity to connect these areas with our existing trail system within Batesville would be excellent for biking and walking,” said Mayor Bettice. Currently, Liberty Park and Brums Woods Trail are located in town. The YMCA also has a trail that will also be incorporated. And, of course, North- Continued on page 3A History blends Architecture, Business, Community By Susan Ray It happens every day in every small town and every big city. Family and friends gather around a kitchen table or huddle near an autumn bonfire and share well-worn sto- ries, years in the making. This is history in its purest form – part of the foundation of villages and towns, counties and countries. All over the world, oral histories pass information, wisdom and humor from one generation to the next. As com- munities grew, so did the volume of tall tales and familial anecdotes and individual recollections. In an effort to pre- serve these precious narratives and to safeguard important artifacts as well as local curiosities, historical societies were established and museums were created. Although it has taken various forms over the years, to- day’s Dearborn County Historical Society was established in 1984. Joyce Baer, the current president of the Dearborn County Historical Society and Cassie Blankenhorn, Resident Genealogist with the Lawrenceburg Public Library District share a passion for history and while they are happy to offer information and assistance over the phone or via email, both stress the importance of hands-on research. Mrs. Blankenhorn says, “That’s what we try to explain to people. People just think they can get online and they can find everything, but they need to go to facilities.” A permanent display of uniforms, flags and more hon- ors veterans and illustrates the role local women and men have played in the nation’s history. “And we caution them,” says Mrs. Baer, “You can find some things online, but you need to go – go to the court- houses, go to historical societies …” “Genealogical societies,” interjects Mrs. Blankenhorn. “And that’s a great example. We have a small community; even the county’s fairly small, but we have a great historical society; we just have great records here that are available to people. It makes me think that most towns have it, but that’s Continued on page 4A February 8•9•10 INSIDE BEACON HOURS: FRIDAY 5PM - 9PM SATURDAY 10AM - 7PM • SUNDAY 12PM - 5PM DearbornHomeShow.com Save theDate LAWRENCEBURG EVENT CENTER 91 WALNUT STREET LAWRENCEBURG, IN 47025