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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
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