21,000 distribution & growing ! To advertise , call 812-637-0660
21,000 distribution & growing ! To advertise , call 812-637-0660
PRSRT STD U . S . POSTAGE
PAID CINCINNATI , OHIO
Permit No . 9714
THE BEACON
www . goBEACONnews . com PUBLISHED MONTHLY SINCE 1994 August 2018
INSIDE The BEACON
Girl Scout Camp Fun !
Twenty-one years of tradition and education lead to a great time at camp .
Page 7A
Mock Trial
Students learn about the law and legal professions from both sides of the bench . Page 10A
Danes and Ducks !
Rising Sun resident raises both to be best friends .
Page 9B
LFD Protects Lives in More Ways Than One
Brad Peddenpohl looks on as his nephew gets a feel for operating a piece of excavation equipment .
Dig It !
Main Street Aurora hosted a “ Hard Hat Hangout ” where the community could get up close and personal with big trucks , backhoes , fire trucks , and other large equipment . ( Photos by Nancy Turner )
Joey & Paula Meyer take their daughter Markie Meyer Smith , two grandchildren , and two dogs for a ride in a utility vechicle .
Children of all ages were all smiles during the “ dig .” They sported the latest in construction fashion .
By Susan Ray Nothing is pretentious in the making of wine or in the enjoyment of the golden , copper or ruby liquid . Queens and peasants have taken equal part in the development of wine through the centuries , but no role is of greater importance than that played by nature itself . Inside every bottle is the essence of the soil and sun and cold and rain that strengthened or weakened the vines that produced the grapes that were harvested at the peak of their flavor . All wine is a fluid union of passion and science ; a blending of grapes and a reflection of the expertise , creativity , and dedication of the winemakers themselves – a process dating back eight thousand years .
More than five million bottles of wine are produced annually in Indiana , with sales totaling more than 2.4 billion dollars . The growth of the industry and ever-increasing respect for the quality of Hoosier wines are directly attributable to the hard work in the vineyards and cellars that changes with the seasons but never ends . Brian Ahaus began working in vineyards nearly thirty years ago , and since 2006 , has been Ertel Cellars ’ vintner . Mr . Ahaus says , “ Passion . That ’ s what people don ’ t get . They know it ’ s a business . They know somebody ’ s farming ; someone ’ s crushing grapes , but what they don ’ t understand is how to get to an award-winning product . It ’ s not an easy thing ... it goes back to a labor of
Editor ’ s Note : The research for this story began with the focus of featuring the Lawrenceburg Fire Department , its history , and all that it does for the community . However , one small comment by the fire chief about light lumber led to a county-wide awareness of new legislation and the potential to save hundreds of lives .
Jonnie Tremain has been a Lawrenceburg fireman for over thirty-two years . He has seen his share of structure fires , accidents , and political machines . Today he proudly wears the title of Chief Tremain , and rightfully so .
Since 1882 the Lawrenceburg Fire Department has protected the citizens of Lawrenceburg . The department was run entirely by volunteers until 2006 . Today the department has grown to include several full-time firefighters , thirtyeight part-time firefighters , and two volunteer firefighters . The fire station is manned twenty-four hours a day , seven days a week . Two firefighters are on duty for twenty-four hours and then off for forty-eight hours .
What has caused the shift from a volunteer to a paid department ? The same things that have impacted fire departments across the country- time and training .
As with so many volunteer organizations , volunteerism has declined exponentially due to potential volunteer time constraints . People are working longer hours to make ends meet . They are also investing more time in family activities including their children ’ s education and sports activities . Very little time is left for giving back to one ’ s community .
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Potholes , Paving , Prevention
Five hundred miles of road loom before eighteen workers . Five hundred miles of paving , potholes , mowing , weeding , guardrails , traffic control , washouts , culverts , bridge repairs ... and that ’ s just the tip of the iceberg .
Dearborn County has its share of road concerns this year . A hard winter meant treating roads with salt and calcium chloride to keep residents safe , not to mention roads being plowed . These factors result in potholes the following season .
“ We are doing the best we can to address the road issues , but things like four inches of rain cause other issues to be postponed , especially when roads collapse and families are stranded ,” said Tim Greive , highway supervisor . The resurfacing of many roads is already underway . Potholes are being filled as quickly as possible . However , keeping roads open and safe for passage after flooding and significant downpours takes priority .
Back at the office , grant applications for both federal and state funding are rapidly being completed since Dearborn County does not have enough funding from the gas tax and income tax to maintain all of the roads and bridges . Funds are not received from property taxes . And as we all know , riverboat gaming funds have greatly decreased .
Residents are encouraged to report safety hazards on county roads by calling 812-655-9394 .
Indiana ’ s Wineries Are Five Million Bottles Strong
Debby and Don Stutz enjoy sharing their wines and welcoming visitors to their At the Barn Winery . ( Photo by Susan Ray )
love .” At the Barn Winery is located inside the 1870s era barn built by Don Stutz ’ s great-grandfather . Don and Debby Stutz opened the winery in 2014 , as an extension of Mr . Stutz ’ s interest in winemaking and an opportunity for the couple to keep busy after retirement . Mrs . Stutz says that prior to opening the business , “ Don has made wine for about forty ,
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