boome€¦ · if you believe you have been the victim of any type of scam or attempted scam, the...

A GOOD MOVE

BACKSTAGE AT A WINE COMPETITION Boomer Connoisseur2

Day TripperSPIRIT-RENEWING

RETREATSPage 12

THINKING ABOUT GREEN

The Dirt on Gardening Page 34

BOOMERboomermagonline.com MARCH 2019

THE EFFECTS OF A PLANT-BASED DIET ON ATHLETES | BOOMER HEALTH | PAGE 28

Steve Brett’s early decision to coach basketball was a slam dunkPage 14

THE GREAT WAR

EVENTIndiana Military Museum

commemorates 100th anniversary of World War I

Page 8

STONEHAUS.COM • (888) 392-28251260 S. OLD DECKER RD. VINCENNES

pick your slab &

Visit our local showroom,

transform your kitchen

2 Locations to serve you.

Ask us about our Kasasa Checking& Kasasa Savings accounts

First Vincennes Savings Bank615 Kimmel Road, Vincennes, IN

812-885-9018 • www.frsb.net

Visit any of our convenient ATM locations:

CELEBRATING OUR 10TH ANNIVERSARY

• Good Samaritan Hospital Cafeteria • Good Samaritan Hospital Pavilion

• Speedy Pete’s in Monroe City • Knox Plaza in Vincennes

• 615 Kimmel Rd. Coming soon 3rd & Vigo Streets

First VincennesSavings Bank

A Real Community Bank

4 | MARCH 2019 z BOOMER

editor’s deskBOOMER PUBLISHER

Melody Brunson (812) 698-1626

EDITOR

Natalie Reidford (812) 568-8991

DESIGN EDITOR

Natalie Reidford (812) 568-8991

ADVERTISING SALES

Angela Allen 812-254-0480, Ext. 115

Ashley Dike 812-887-6361

Wanita Tetreault 812-254-0480, Ext. 121

GRAPHIC ARTIST

Alice Schwartz

PHOTOGRAPHY

Matt Griffith and Joy Neighbors

WRITERS

Mike Gingerich, Mike Grant,

Todd Lancaster, Joy Neighbors,

Bill Richardson, Rama Sobhani,

Dr. Neil Sweigart, Tom Yoder

and Clifford York

SUBSCRIPTIONS

Boomer is published six

times a year, serving the Knox County

area. The subscription price of $25 per

year can be mailed to P.O. Box 471,

Washington, IN 47501.

UPON READING THIS issue of Boomer, I think you’ll get the impression that we’re ready for spring.

I’m feeling buried in winter as of this writing, much like Rama Sobhani says in his “Wild Life” column on Page 24. But he’s right, the spring peepers are

out — I heard them while walking last night. Hope reigns eternal.

Maybe for you, springtime is ideal for solitude and reflection. If that’s the case, read Joy Neighbors’ “Day Tripper” column on Page 18. She provides information on retreat opportunities at St. Meinrad.

If a road trip to somewhere farther away sounds good, check out our article on Page 26 about the Comedy Center, a nonprofit museum dedicated to the art form of comedy that opened in Jamestown, New York, in August of last year.

After all this wet weather, I’m tempted to get outside and do something about the mud puddle that was formerly known as our back yard. But Tom Yoder cautions us not to get too far ahead of ourselves by fertilizing the lawn — it’s not time just yet. Read more in

his column on Page 34.Tax season is wrapping up, but Roy Ice

advises in his column on Page 31 that IRA contributions can be made up to April 15 and still be deductible on your 2018 income tax return.

Since it’s March, are you hungry for basketball news? Writer Bill Richardson and photographer Matt Griffith have you covered in our feature article on Page 14, a look at the career of coach Steve Brett.

And you’ll see Todd Lancaster has a KISS theme going in his “Sonic Boomer” and “Boomer Toys, Trappings and Trivia” columns. KISS is currently on their End of the Road tour. They’ve said goodbye before; time will tell if they’re really hanging up the platform boots for good.

Hopefully, this issue of Boomer finds you a little warmer and a little drier than we have been lately — and we get some springtime weather before the heat and humidity settle in.

Natalie ReidfordEditor, Boomer

ALLIANCETractor LLC

Serving 4 locations in Illinois & Indiana!

mattoon, IL217.234.6478

newton, il 618.783.3285

Casey, IL217.932.5941

Vincennes, in 812.882.5750

WWW.ALLIANCETRACTOR.COM

great meetings.

GOLF DIGEST EXECUTIVES KNOW GREAT GOLF and have named Renaissance Ross Bridge Golf Resort

& Spa and Auburn Marriott Opelika Hotel at Grand National two of their newest Editors' Choice Winners, along

with Pebble Beach, The Greenbrier, Pinehurst and 65 other North American locations. When you need to step

away from the offi ce for a great golf getaway or an off-site meeting, plan your visit to Alabama’s Robert Trent

Jones Golf Trail. The best part about the Trail is you don’t have to break the bank to play world-class golf. »»

» GREAT GOLF, great meetings.

»» Play where the champions play on Alabama's Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. To book your next outing, call 800.949.4444 today and visit rtjgolf.com to learn more.

RTJ1013RB_OV_GolfMeetings_CNHI.indd 1 10/28/16 1:50 PM


4 EDITOR’S DESKReady for springtimeBy Natalie Reidford

7 WATCHING OUT FOR FALSE AD MAILERSAttorney General Curtis Hill advises consumers to bewareFrom the office of the Indiana Attorney General

8 THE GREAT WAR MILITARY EVENTThe Indiana Military Museum remembers the 100th anniversary of World War IBy Mike Grant

12 THE BOOMER CONNOISSEURBehind the scenes at a wine competitionBy Joy Neighbors

14 MORE THAN ‘THE NEXT BEST THING’Decision to coach basketball was Steve Brett’s slam dunkBy Bill Richardson

18 DAY TRIPPERReview your spirit with a monastery retreatBy Joy Neighbors

20 FINANCIAL WISDOMThe four pitfalls of no planBy Clifford York

21 CALENDARIvan Parker benefit concert, Guitar Fest, Ag Day supper

22 THE SONIC BOOMERMy career in the KISS ArmyBy Todd Lancaster

23 BOOMER TOYS, TRAPPINGS AND TRIVIAKISS triviaBy Todd Lancaster

24 THE WILD LIFEWherefore art thou, Spring?By Rama Sobhani

26 CELEBRATING COMEDYThe National Comedy Center honors the art form in Lucille Ball’s hometownCourtesy of the National Comedy Center

28 BOOMER HEALTHPlant-based diets benefit athletes’ heart health, enduranceBy Dr. Neil Sweigart

29 TECH TALKWordPress Job Manager easy to use and maintainBy Mike Gingerich

31 THE BOOMER 1040Reduce your tax liability and pay yourselfBy Roy Ice

32 DELICIOUS SEAFOOD FOR LENTEN DINNERSRoasted black bean codCourtesy of Metro Creative Connection

33 INDULGE IN HOMEMADE DONUTSCookies and cream donutsCourtesy of Metro Creative Connection

34 THE DIRT ON GARDENINGGreen has a dual-purpose meaning this time of yearBy Tom Yoder

12Photo by Joy Neighbors

18Photo by Joy Neighbors

Photo courtesy Jay Rosenblatt

23

26

contents MARCH 2019 | Vol. 11, Issue 4

ON THE COVERVincennes Lincoln head basketball coach Steve Brett looks on during a home game. | Photo by Matt Griffith

BOOMER z MARCH 2019 | 7

From the office of the Indiana Attorney General

ATTORNEY GENERAL CURTIS Hill is warning Hoosiers to be skeptical of advertising mailers claiming they have won prizes — espe-cially when “winners” must pick up prizes at car dealerships or other sales-oriented venues.

“Typically, the announcement that ‘you’re a winner’ is merely a ploy to entice you to go lis-ten to someone’s sales pitch,” Attorney General Hill said. “We want Hoosiers to be alert to all varieties of misleading advertising so they can avoid wasting their time or, even worse, getting talked into making ill-advised purchases.”

In the last 12 months, the Office of the Attorney General has filed lawsuits against five promotional firms in connection with deceptive auto-advertising mailers promising prize winnings. Thus far, lawsuits have resulted in judgments against two such firms; the other three are pending.

Most recently — on Feb. 10 — a Marion County court approved a consent agreement between the state and Traffic Jam Events LLC, which resolved claims by the Attorney General that the promoter violated Indiana law.

The complaint alleged the following with regard to Traffic Jam Events:

• The company sent mailers to more than 443,000 Indiana residents. As part of promotions orchestrated on behalf of auto dealers, Traffic Jam Events sent out game

pieces such as scratch-offs. The mailings indicated that recipients with winning game pieces had won significant prizes — such as $5,000 cash, an iPad or a $500 gift card.

• Each mailing, however, contained identical game pieces with winning numbers. Thus, each mailing communicated to all recipi-ents that they had won significant prizes when they had not. Recipients who went to dealerships to claim winnings were then awarded their “prizes” — typically nominal items such as $5 gift cards. Then they were subjected to sales pitches for vehicles.

The Attorney General claimed the mailings violated the Deceptive Consumer Sales Act in multiple ways – including false representa-tions that recipients won specific prizes and false representations that the game pieces in the mailings determined whether recipients won prizes. Further, the complaint alleged the prize mailings also violated the Promotional Gifts and Contests Act by failing to include on the prize mailings the name and address of the promoter (Traffic Jam Events); failure to correctly state the odds of winning and the retail value of the prizes potentially awarded; and failure to include a disclaimer that recipients would be subjected to a sales pitch when claiming their prizes.

The consent agreement entered between the parties and approved by the court requires Traffic Jam Events to pay the State of Indiana a civil penalty in the amount of $57,500.

Traffic Jam Events is also required to include various specific disclosures in its mail-ings. It is also prohibited from sending any mailings that claim recipients have won prizes when they have not; from representing game pieces as determinant as to whether recipients have won prizes; from classifying recipients as “winners” unless they have actually won a substantial prize; and from any other future violations of Indiana law.

In addition, Traffic Jam Events is required to provide the Attorney General with copies of all mailings it sends to Indiana recipients over the next three years so the Attorney General can monitor Traffic Jam Events’ compliance with the judgment.

The other four promotional firms involved with auto dealers and sued by the state within the last 12 months are:

• Dealer Direct Services Inc.• DBR Integrity Promotions, Inc.• Prophecy Marketing • Xcel Media Group

If you believe you have been the victim of any type of scam or attempted scam, the Office of the Attorney General can help. To file a complaint, go to indianaconsumer.com or call 1-800-382-5516.

AG Curtis Hill: Be suspicious of advertising mailers claiming you have won a prize

In the last 12 months, the Office of the Attorney General has filed lawsuits against five promotional firms in connection with deceptive auto-advertising mailers promising prize winnings.


By Mike Grant

WORLD WAR ONE was called the “the war to end all wars.”

It was not. World War II began about two decades later. The end result of the treaties and boundaries drawn following the end of World War I.

At this time 100 years ago the world was

beginning to try and put the pieces back together again and on March 30 and 31 the Indiana Military Museum will conduct the Great War Event marking the 100th anniversary of the end of the war.

“World War I was the war where technology of weapons snowballed,” said president of the Indiana Military Museum

James Osborne. “It went from calvary charges to trench warfare.”

World War I also led to new ways of fight-ing. Submarines became involved in battles at sea. Tanks and machine guns were perfected and added to jumps in artillery performance for fighting on land and a new thing called the airplane took war into the skies.

Visitors attending the World War I event will have an opportunity to see a lot of those authentic items. “We have just opened our 22,000 square foot annex,” said Osborne. “We will have several artillery pieces, a tank, and a bi-plane on display along with a lot of other artifacts from World War I. There are going to be a lot of things that people have never seen here before.”

Along with those static displays will be some living history provided by World War I re-enactors from all over the Midwest. “We will have mock battles, both days of the event,” said Howard Lanam, operations manager for the Indiana Military Museum. “We are expecting around 75 participants. They will all be dressed in uniforms and with

The Indiana Military Museum is marking the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I at its Great War Event. The event will take place March 30 and 31 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. | Photos courtesy of the Indiana Military Museum

Indiana Military Museum remembers 100th anniversary of World War I

great war event


equipment that is accurate to the time. These guys are very picky about accuracy. If they have a recreation of something it is made to be just like the original.”

The Indiana Military Museum began the event in 2014.

“It was the start of the 100th anniversary,” said Lanam. “We looked around and it seemed like at the time there wasn’t anyone doing anything on World War I and that’s when we decided to hold our event.”

World War I recreations tend to be a little smaller than Civil War and Revolutionary War events.

“I think it is because all of World War I was in Europe and there was no fighting in the United States,” said Lanam. “A lot of the equipment that was used was left behind in Europe and that has made it tougher to get hold of.”

But the interest has picked up in recent years during the 100th anniversary of the war.

“There are more re-enactors,” said Lanam. “There is a large group from around Chicago in northern Indiana. I think a lot of them will be coming down for our event.”

Visitors won’t just see uniforms from a single army. Multiple countrys’ battle gear and uniforms will be worn on the battle field. “We expect re-enactors that are not just wearing U.S. gear, but also British, French, German and maybe even some Russian,” said Osborne.

Other than the battles the public will have a chance to get a closer look at the re-en-actors operations in other ways. The

Call today for Free Estimates & Measuring 812-882-4141.

Lincoln TrailDecorating Center

1432 N. State Road 67 Vincennes, Indiana812-882-4141

“Serving your Flooring Needs for over 40 Years”

STYLE AND QUALITY! We’ve got you covered!Flooring, Carpet, Tile, Vinyl, Hardwoods, Backsplashes, & Showers

Our

Installers are

Second To None!

We take your Flooring from

Beginning to End!

Daily Specials on In-Stock Flooring- Large Selection of Remnants

Both visitors and participants enjoy the battle re-enactments that are part of the Great War Event.

444


event allows the public to walk through the encampment and talk with the soldiers. The Museum has even put together a recreation of a World War I trench so that visitors can get a more realistic feel of what those battle fields were like.

Those battlefields were the deadliest the world had ever seen 100 years ago. By the time the Battle of the Marne, Battle of the Somme and Battle of Verdun were over World War I had left 20 million people dead and an additional 20 million injured. Half of the dead were civilians the other half military personnel.

The United States mobilized 4 million soldiers for the war with 116,000 killed and 204,000 wounded. Of that number 130,000 troops called to duty were from Indiana and 3,000 died.

One of those Indiana soldiers was Samuel Goodfill. He was the only Hoosier who was awarded the Medal of Honor during the war. “Goodfill was later named to be a pallbearer for the casket of the unknown soldier that was buried in the tomb of the unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery,” said Osborne. “We will have some artifacts from his service during World War I on display at the museum.”

U.S. General “Blackjack” Pershing, commander of U.S. Forces during World War I once called Goodfill “the best soldier he ever knew.”

The Military Museum has a unique piece of General Pershing’s history on display. “We have a telephone taken from his headquarters in France during World War I,” said Osborne.

Organizers say that they are hoping for a good turnout for the “Great War Event.”

“You know a lot of the young people have

Howard Lanam, operations manager for the Indiana Military Museum, says about 75 participants from around the Midwest come to the Great War Event for mock battles.


no idea about the kind of equipment those guys had to use,” said Lanam. “People who are coming, you show up with the mindset that they will learn something about history. After all, we are as much about education as we are about history.”

Fourth year for the eventThe Great War Event or World War I

Event is in its fourth year. It runs March 30 and 31 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Battles are scheduled for each day but could be cancelled by poor weather. One thing organizers say they have learned by putting this event on in the past is that people who attend have a pretty good time.

“The visitors and the participants both really love it,” said Lanam. “They all really have a big time.”

“When we started this we were just doing it to mark the anniversary of World War I,” said Osborne. “If the public wants it, we are more than willing to continue having it.”

The Indiana Military Museum is located at 715 S. Sixth Street Road just south of the Willow Street intersection and next door to the French Commons where the annual Vincennes Rendezvous is held.

Surgical Excellence Highly-skilled, compassionate care close to home

When it comes to having surgery you expect the best, and so do we. Good Samaritan has the skilled, professional care you can count on. We offer a number of general surgery procedures right here close to home, from routine colonoscopies to life-saving trauma surgery. Be cared for like family in our state-of-the-art facility by highly skilled and compassionate staff. There is no need to travel long distances for a surgical procedure. High-quality care is closer than you think at Good Samaritan.

OUR SERVICES

Surgery Services520 S. Seventh Street | Vincennes, IN 47591

812-882-3280 | gshvin.org/surgery

• AV Fistula Creations • Breast Surgery• Colon & Rectal Surgery

Lindsey Fleshman, DO

Daniel Neumann, MD

Rong Yang, MD

• Colonoscopy • Emergency Surgical Services • Endoscopy

• General Surgery • Hernia Repair • Laparoscopic Surgery

• Oncologic (Cancer) Surgery • Trauma Services

The Indiana Military Museum’s Great War Event is in its fourth year.


boomer connoisseur

Spring brings about an abundance of wine competitions around the country. By Joy Neighbors

PEOPLE PUT THEIR trust into these awards, but what really happens at a wine competition? How does a wine receive an award? As a state and international wine judge, I’ll give you a behind-the-scenes look into how awards are decided on.

There are more than 70 wine competitions

in the country, and they are usually organized and sponsored by industry organizations, state fair associations, state wine industries and industry magazines. Some of the more popular include Critics Challenge Wine Competition, Finger Lakes International Wine Competition, Indy International

Wine Competition, International Eastern Wine Competition, Mid-American Wine Competition, Pacific Rim Wine Competition, San Francisco International Wine Competition, Tasters Guild International Wine Judging, and TEXSOM International Wine Awards.

Wineries enter what they consider to be their best wines in these competitions, hoping to score medals so they can boast about winning a Gold, Silver or Bronze in a certain competition. It’s an impressive selling point for the wine and is a great marketing tool for the winery.

To submit a wine for consideration, a winery fills out a competition form indicating the grape varietal or proprietary name, location grown, year crafted, percentage of residual sugar, and current price per bottle. This information helps the competition staff place that wine in the correct category for judging. The winery pays a fee anywhere from $25 to more than $100 per entry and sends the required two to 12 bottles per entry with the completed form. These entry fees are how the competitions pay for judges, food, room rentals, wine glass rental, advertising, event staff, and those prestigious medals and awards. The majority of extra wine is given as gifts to the judges, sampled out to event staff or served at the competition dinner finale.

Wine judges are usually professionals in the industry. State competitions may include winery owners and locally known judges.

Behind the scenes at a wine competition

This is the wine judging room where all the decisions are made. Joy is seated at the center table across from George Taber, author of Judgement of Paris. | Photos by Joy Neighbors


Actual judging is done “blind,” which means the judges don’t know what winery made the wine, its location or the price point. This allows each wine to be judged on its merits.

FlightsWines are usually arranged in horizontal

flights. A horizontal flight will include wines from the same vintage year or same type of grapes but made by different wineries. A tasting flight is a selection of wines usually three to twelve vinos to be reviewed. Judges at the same table are served the same wines in each flight and use a judging form to evaluate individual wines on its merits. Each judge scores the wine, signs the judging form and turns it in. After the forms are picked up, judges can discuss their opinions.

Elements to considerWines may be judged on a combination of

the following elements:

1. Appearance: The wine should be clear and bright without dullness or particles.

2. Color: The color of the wine will depend on the type of grapes used. A white wine that shows amber tones, or a red with bronze edges indicated oxidization and will receive low points.

3. Aroma & Bouquet: This can include many things but a wine that smells moldy, dirty or corky will loose points.

4. Volatile Acidity: Does the wine smell like vinegar? If so, 0 points.

5. Total Acidity: This is felt in the mouth. If a wine is judged to be too flat or too sharp,

points are deducted.6. Sweetness/Sugar: Sugar and acid should

be in balance.7. Body: This is the mouth-feel.8. Flavor: should correspond with the grapes

used. A metallic taste scores low.9. Astringency: This accounts for bitterness.10. General or Overall Quality: This is the one

category that is subjective.

Today, several evaluations are used but the American Wine Society’s (AWS) 20 Point Scale is becoming a judging standard. The AWS version is preferred because of its simplicity in assigning points in these categories:

Appearance (Up to 3 points), Aroma & Bouquet - (Up to 6 points), Taste & Texture - (Up to 6 points), Aftertaste - (Up to 3 points), and Overall Impression - (Up to 2 points.) That could add up to a total of 20 points. The breakdown for those points is scored as:

12 – 14 points: Good (Bronze)15 – 17 points: Excellent (Silver)18 – 20 points: Extraordinary (Gold)Awards are based on those points, and

medals or ribbons are then awarded signifying bronze (3rd place) silver (2nd place) and gold (1st place.) A double or Concordance gold indicates every judge at the competition gave that wine a gold medal. Competitions may also have a “Best of Class” category and a “Best of Show” award.

Keep in mind that small- and medium-sized wineries, those not located on the East or West Coasts, and those that craft non-standard wines will be hard pressed to ever get a wine rating from a wine critic or industry magazine. That’s why wine competitions are so important. They are open to all commercials wineries and that promotes a more level playing field, giving smaller wineries a chance to shine.

The next time you’re selecting a bottle of wine, don’t immediately reach for a well-known wine or one with wine critic accolades. Instead, check out some of the wines offered by local and regional wineries that have won awards. Grab a bottle of that gold, silver or bronze medal winner and you’ll be pleasantly surprised with what you taste. Enjoy!

Joy Neighbors is an area writer whose first book, The Family Tree Cemetery Field Guide, is available at Barnes and Noble, and Books-a-Million stores around the country. It may also be purchased online at Amazon.com and ShopFamilyTree.com. Neighbors continues to write her weekly blogs, A Grave Interest and Joy’s Joy of Wine.

Another room is dedicated to people who tabulate the scores.


By Bill Richardson

THERE WAS A day in the fall of 1963 when Steve Brett was hit with a harsh dose of reality.

He was a good basketball player on his freshman team at Loogootee High School, but stood just 4-9 and weighed only 92 pounds. Professional basketball, he suddenly realized, was not in his future.

Then and there, though, another dream came into focus.

“Coaching, it seemed to me, would be the next best thing and from then on that’s all I pursued,” he said.

It eventually led to 37 years on the sidelines as head coach at Bloomfield, Seymour, Loogootee and Shakamak, where his teams won 467 games and lost 378. In the process, teams coached by Brett cut down the

sectional nets 11 times and claimed a pair of regional championships.

The highlight came at Loogootee in 2005, when Brett guided his alma mater to the Indiana state tournament’s Class A championship game. The cherry on top was enshrinement into the Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame in 2018.

It appeared that Brett’s days as a head coach were over, however. After retiring from Shakamak in the spring of 2015, he spent a year away from Indiana’s game, then served two years as a volunteer assistant on the staff of Josh Thompson, his former Bloomfield player, at Vincennes Lincoln.

Fate intervened, when in July Thompson resigned at Lincoln to move to small-school power Barr-Reeve. The Alices had what they needed, though, right under their noses. In a matter of days, Brett was tabbed as Lincoln’s head coach on an interim basis.

Lincoln principal Steve Combs, himself the Alices’ former head coach, says Brett did the Vincennes Community School Corporation “a huge favor” by stepping in.

“When your basketball coach quits three weeks before school starts it puts everyone in a bind,” said Combs. “We needed someone who was willing to put the time, effort and care into our kids that was necessary. He’s a Hall-of-Fame coach, has been at big and small schools, and has been successful everywhere he’s been.”

It’s not been the storybook season everyone was hoping for, but one filled with ups and downs. At times the Alices have played well enough to make some memories, but at other times not so well. The team had a record of 8-10 record entering its annual showdown the Washington Hatchets on Jan. 31.

Brett entered the season ranked 12th on Indiana’s list of active coaches with the 467 victories. He says the season has been rewarding, all the same. There have been no problems and it’s been fun. As always, he’s sorry to see the season coming to a close.

After graduating from Loogootee High School in 1967, the son of Hugh and Eula Brett may no longer have harbored dreams of an NBA career, but he was good enough to make the freshman team at Indiana State University. He was invited back by coach Gordon Stauffer the following year, and was eventually offered a partial scholarship by the Sycamores. He wound up playing three years of varsity basketball in Terre Haute, before earning an undergraduate — and later a Master’s — from ISU.

Naturally, much of Brett’s passion for the game comes from his high school coach, the legendary Jack Butcher, who sits atop the

Lincoln head coach Steve Brett, center, shouts instructions to his players during a home game this season. Background, the Lincoln bench reacts to a basket that takes the lead in a game this season in Alice Arena. | Photos by Matt Griffith

MORE THAN ‘THE NEXT BEST THING’

Hall-of-Famer Steve Brett ‘s decision to coach basketball was a good move


Indiana all-time coaching wins list with 806 wins, all in 45 years at Loogootee.

“I owe him a lot,” said Brett, who played on Butcher-coached teams that combined to win 38 games during his junior and senior seasons. “He certainly got after me, justifiably, several times while I was in school. He taught me lots of lessons about how to conduct yourself. But he also taught me to be a competitor. I think I got some of that from my parents, too.”

It’s not without irony that Brett cut his coaching teeth at Lincoln, where starting in the fall of 1971 he served for six years as an assistant under the immortal Orlando “Gunner” Wyman.

If Butcher gave Brett his fire, it was Wyman, an ex-Marine who would guide Lincoln to the 1981 Indiana state champi-onship, who gave him advanced lessons in coaching.

“I learned how to coach basketball and how to teach basketball from him,” Brett said. “He was a big influence, as far as Xs and Os go. I was around him long enough to learn that there really aren’t a lot of new things in basketball. It’s just that someone has taken something and given it a different name.”

Brett gained more than experience during those early years teaching and coaching in Vincennes. It’s also where he met his wife, Janis, a Dugger native who taught business and English at Lincoln. The couple married

late in 1973.“All of our dates were scouting trips,” Brett

said with a chuckle. “Basically, she had a good idea of what she was getting in to. She was an excellent teacher, too.”

By the 1977-78 season, Brett was ready to be a head coach. He found the perfect starting place in Bloomfield, who was looking to replace Guy Glover, a mythical basketball figure in his own right. Brett, who’d done his student teaching under Glover, found yet another excellent mentor.

“We thought a lot alike,” said Brett, who coached the Cardinals to 223 wins, eight sectional championships and the 1986 Terre Haute regional title in 16 years at the helm. “That probably had something to do with me getting the job there. We both always believed in playing the toughest schedule you could possibly play, and that would prepare you for the tournament.”

Eventually, the bigger schools came calling. One of those was Seymour, which lured Brett away prior to the 1993-94 season.

“When I got into coaching, I started thinking about places that I thought would (someday) be good places to be,” he said. “Seymour was one of those places. It had the third-largest gym in the country. It hosted the sectional and the regional every year, and Indiana still had one-class basketball.”

It was a dream that “went to pot” in short order. The Indiana High School implement-ed multi-class prior to the 1997-98 season.

“That sectional went from being one we could win every year to being one we would never be able to win,” he said.

Sectional foes Bedford-North Lawrence and Jennings County were “rolling along,” according to Brett. Then there were tradition-al powers Jeffersonville and New Albany.

After eight seasons, 79 wins, 91 losses and no sectional crowns, rightly or wrongly, Brett was fired in Jackson County.

He knew he wasn’t finished coaching, but wasn’t sure where he’d next roam the sidelines.

As it turned out, Brett went home. He took an administrative position at Loogootee in the fall of 2001, as Butcher was winding down a career that would see him set the all-time Indiana record with 805 victories.

“He never said anything about quitting,” Brett said. “And I’d starting looking at jobs, because I missed coaching.”

Brett went so far as to interview at a couple of schools, but nothing came of it.

“It’s a good thing,” he said. “Mr. Butcher retired in June, and I thought ‘I might as well apply for the job.’”

Some in Loogootee thought that

Coach Brett goes over final instructions prior to starting lineup during a game against Mt. Carmel in Alice Arena.

444


Karin Schmidt, BC-HISBoard Certified

Hearing Instrument Specialist

Tim SchmidtCo-Owner

Locally Owned and Operated

2003 Hart Street, Vincennes, IN 47591(812) 882-2075www.HometownHearingInc.com

MONDAY-FRIDAY 9AM-5PMAfter hours and Weekends by Appointment only

At Hometown Hearing Inc., our mission is to help improve each person’s quality of life by improving the quality of their

hearing. Hometown Hearing Inc.’s goal is to help everyone in Vincennes and the surrounding communities with all their

hearing service needs.

SERVICES OFFERED INCLUDE: • Comprehensive diagnostic audiological evaluations and hearing tests for adults• Full line of hearing aids, specializing in digital hearing aid technology• Hea• Hearing accessories (batteries, custom ear molds, water protection, earplugs, noise protection)Call today to hear more about our special offers!We service all makes and models!

Mike Wagoner, a former Lions’ standout who’d served as Butcher’s right-hand man for more than two decades, had paid his dues and deserved the position.

“I thought Mike deserved a shot, too,” Brett said. “But I also thought, ‘If I can get it, I’m going to take it.’”

Brett got the job, and is grateful to Wagoner for staying on board.

“We worked great together. There was never a problem,” Brett said. “He was easy to work with, and did everything I asked him to do. Actually, I learned some things from him.”

The Lions won 19 games in 2003 and again in 2004. Then came the 2005 season, in which Loogootee finished 21-5 and reached the Class A title game before losing to Lapel, 51-40.

When Brett talks about that season, Wyman comes to mind.

“He always said the goal every year is to win the state championship,” said Brett. “If that’s not your goal, then why are you doing it? Your ultimate goal is to be in the state finals and that year we were fortunate to get there.”

Brett recalls that the 2005 team was able

to overcome a number of issues, which led to four regular season losses.

“They were a great group of kids,” he said. “They were very coachable and a lot of fun to coach. Plus they had a good group of parents who were very supportive.”

Brett ended up coaching six years at Loogootee, racking up 92 wins while winning three sectional crowns.

For whatever reason, though, it wasn’t in the cards for Brett to finish at his alma mater. He returned to the classroom during his final two years there, then moved on altogether.

His next landing spot was at Shakamak, where he spent seven seasons coaching the Lakers to a record of 73-87 while serving as an dean of students and athletic director.

He retired after the 2014-15 school year, spent a year away from basketball, and found that he couldn’t stand it. When Thompson offered the chance to serve on the Lincoln staff, he jumped at the chance.

For the next two seasons, it looked as though his career had come full circle, from serving on the staff at Lincoln, to again serving on the staff at Lincoln.

Then, Thompson suddenly got the job at Barr-Reeve. There was no time for Lincoln to conduct a coaching search, and on top of that there were no teaching openings.

“One of the reasons they asked me to take the job was that I was already involved with

• High school: Loogootee, 1967.• College: Indiana State

University, Bachelor’s Degree (1971) and Master’s Degree (1975).

• Wife: Janis, a former English teacher and high school librarian.

• Son: Jarrod, a former player at Franklin College, where he now works in the registrar’s office.

• Daughter: Katy, a former assistant to Indiana political

figures and now a stay-at-home mother in New York City.

• Taught: Drafting, architectural drafting, driver’s education, metals shop, wood shop, physical education, character building.

• Head basketball coach: Bloomfield (223-145) Seymour (79-91), Loogootee (92-55), Shakamak (73-87), Vincennes Lincoln (8-10 through Jan. 26).

The Brett File


the kids,” he said. “I was glad to do it.”Combs is glad, too.“When he accepted the job, you could tell

he was all in,” said the principal. “He attended Cub League games, volleyball games, football games and is around the school a lot. He’s just a great person and coach, and I’m confident he’ll take us to where we want to be by the end of the year.”

Brett hasn’t spent a lot of time thinking about it.

“Whether anyone wants to believe it or not, we’re all interim coaches,” said Brett, who commutes to Vincennes each day from his home in Linton. “They can fire you at any time if they want to, and that doesn’t bother me at all.”

Combs said the matter will be addressed

after the season.“We’ll see how it goes for all parties

involved,” he said. “At the end of the year we’ll figure out where we want to go from there.”

Whatever happens, it’s given a Hall-of-Fame coach a chance to stay involved, with high-profile status.

“I’ve really enjoyed this year. I like coach-ing these kids and I think they’re getting better,” said Brett, who’ll turn 70 on his next birthday. “If they want to find somebody younger, that’s fine. If they want me to stay, I’ll consider that, too, although ( Janis) will also have a little bit of say in that.”

Either way, Brett will have no regrets. For a kid who was a 4-9, 92-pound freshman in 1963, it’s been a heck of a ride.

Lincoln coach Steve Brett, right, shares a laugh with South Knox head coach David Burkett prior the the Spartans’ home game against the Alices.

Welcome Back!

Roy Ice, CPA

Native of VincennesThe partners and staff of Kemper CPA Group LLP are pleased to announce that Roy Ice, CPA, has relocated, from our Columbus, Indiana, office, back to his hometown of Vincennes. Ice is a graduate of USI, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting in 2012 and began his career as an intern in the Evansville office of Kemper CPA shortly thereafter. He became a licensed CPA in late 2014 and was promoted to senior accountant before transferring to Columbus (Ind.) in the same year. Ice is now serving as a manager in the Vincennes office as of December 2018.

“My wife, Katelyn and I are excited to bring our son, Lockhart, back to my hometown and close to family. Kemper has always taken care of us, and I am excited to continue to grow with the firm and serve the Vincennes community.”

---Roy Ice, CPA

802 Old Wheatland RoadVincennes, Indiana 47591

Ph 812-882-7730 Ext. 1521Fx 812-882-7778 | kempercpa.com


day tripper

Renew your spirit with a monastery retreatSpring brings thoughts of rebirth and renewal, and what better way to quiet the mind than with a peaceful retreat. By Joy Neighbors

THOSE SEEKING SELF-AWARENESS or spiritual awakening don’t have to travel to Sedona, Arizona or California for inspirational retreats. Two Hoosier monasteries offer individual or group sojourns. Individuals may plan their own solitary journey. Both monaster-ies will gladly assist in structuring a getaway to encompass specific intentions and goals.

St. Meinrad Benedictine MonksLocated in the rolling hills of Southern

Indiana, the monks of St Meinrad will greet you with warm Benedictine hospitality. Whether searching for a day away to refresh your mind or more time spent in a quiet contemplation, St Meinrad’s offers opportuni-ties for meditative and spiritual awareness.

First settled in 1858, St Meinrad was formed from part of the Swiss Abbey of Einsiedeln. Today the monastery is home to 100 brothers who follow the Rule of St. Benedict, a 6th-Century monk. Daily visitors and retreat guests are invited to pray the Liturgy of the Hours with the monks

and celebrate Mass daily in the Archabbey Church. Each Saturday at 1:30 a Benedictine monk leads a tour of the church and grounds. For those preferring a solo walk, self-guided tours may be taken with the walking map or by borrowing an MP3 player at the Guest House.

For retreat guests, single or double rooms are available in four dormitories and meals are served three times a day in the dining hall. Browse the Archabbey Library, which is home to religious books spanning the 19th to 21st Centuries along with the latest scholarly journals and research sites available online. St Meinrad’s also has the Scholar Shop with books on theology and spirituality, along with pastoral and liturgical information.

The monastery gift shop offers inspira-tional books, gifts, music and CDs along with the monks’ latest creation, Peanut Brother — handmade peanut butter crafted from “two simple ingredients for a whole jar of joy.” The Abbey Café offers a light meal with sandwich-es, soups, pie and drinks.

Besides being a seminary and school of theology, St Meinrad’s is home to Abbey Press (www.abbeypressprinting.com), a full-service printing company that handles computer-to-plate technology. Abbey Press began in 1867 to serve the printing needs of the monastery and the community.

Then in 1999, the monks founded Abbey Caskets. (www.abbeycaskets.com) The brothers build each wooden casket by hand from oak, cherry, walnut or poplar. Wooden cremation urns and keepsake wooden crosses are also available.

Although the monastery is a male monastic community, everyone is welcome to visit or attend a retreat. For more information,

contact St. Meinrad.

Sisters of St. Benedict Monastery The 150 Sisters of St Benedict are

religious women who live the Benedictine tradition seeking God through community life, prayer, hospitality, and service to others.

The German sisters first came to Indiana in 1867 to teach at the Ferdinand Parish School. Over the next century the sisters taught at more than 75 schools throughout the U.S. and five countries. Today, they serve as teach-ers, nurses, social workers, and musicians. Following in the path of St. Benedict who believed in the power of the voice and the spoken word, the sisters spread their gospel through speaking and singing.

The Monastery Immaculate Conception church, nicknamed the “Castle on the Hill,” overlooks the monastery grounds and the town of Ferdinand.

Retreats began at St. Benedict Monastery in 1978. Over the years, they have changed and grown into programs offering renewal and personal growth.

The Kordes Retreat Center offers retreats filled with peace, and quiet time to reflect, renew and recharge. Directed retreats may be scheduled for six days. Individuals may prefer a weekend away. Guest rooms are located in dormitories and include two single beds and a private bath. All meals are included. Separate spiritual direction may be requested.

The campus consists of the church, the Benedictine Hospitality Center, Benet Hall Apartments and the monastery cemetery. Visitors and guests are welcome to pray the Liturgy of the Hours with the sisters three times a day, or attend Mass. Stroll the grounds, which includes a labyrinth, outdoor Stations of the Cross, three shrines and several gardens. Sisters take visitors on guided tours of the facility and grounds on Tuesdays

Above, a large Celtic cross on the grounds of St. Meinrad. Background, with 250 acres, there are plenty of walking paths and places of solitude. | Photos by Joy Neighbors

The Sisters of St. Benedict Cemetery offers a quiet place to stroll.


through Sundays at scheduled times. (Check website for hours.)

The monastery is also home to Monastery Baked Goods, “cookies made with prayer and care,” along with pretzels, snack bundles and assortment boxes of bakery delights. The Monastery Gift Shop opened in 1996 as a place to sell the Sisters’ handcrafted items. Today, visi-tors will find baked goods, candles, handcrafted soaps and lotions, artwork, jewelry, decorative home and inspirational items. And the newest

addition to the grounds is St. Benedict’s Brew Works, featuring four handcrafted beers. Started in 2015, the Brew Works is thought to be the only U.S. craft brewery located on the

ground of a women’s monastery.People of all faiths are welcome to attend

a retreat here. For more information, contact the sisters of St. Benedict.

The Monastery Immaculate Conception sanctuary offers intimate seating amid soaring arches.

ST MEINRAD SEMINARY & SCHOOL OF THEOLOGY200 Hill DriveSt. Meinrad, IN(800) 581-6905www.saintmeinrad.edu

V

SISTERS OF ST. BENEDICT 802 E 10th St., Ferdinand, IN(812) 367-1411www.thedome.org

Rita Greene812-881-9143

Beth Chattin812-887-5778

Mary Clayton812-881-7107

Rich Chattin812-291-0670

Robin Montgomery812-881-7509

Cindy Moore812-887-0745

F.C. Tucker Emge REALTORS® | 812.882.4444 | FCTuckerEmge.com

REAL ESTATE AGENTS YOU CAN TRUST

Our agents are invested in you, always putting your best interest first!

Contact a F.C. Tucker Emge realtor today! REALTORS

Cathy Houck812-881-5735

Vanessa Purdom580-799-5537


financial wisdom

The four pitfalls of no plan

There are some things in life you just can’t plan for: an unexpected illness, job loss, death of

spouse, disability…While these major events can impact your life, having an effective game plan can help ensure that it doesn’t ruin your financial well-being. By Clifford York

LET’S SAY YOU choose to not have a financial plan. How does this decision impact the confidence you want/need for your future? There are four major pitfalls for those who lack a financial plan:

Emotional decision-makingMany investors choose not to follow a

plan (or deviate from their plan) simply because they fear the market and want to jump ship when there’s a downturn. An effective financial plan is designed to help you pursue your financial goals even through unstable market conditions. In fact, when you have a plan in place, you’re helping to protect your assets when markets go down while also affording yourself the opportunity to experience potential growth when markets go back up.

Missed opportunitiesFor those who fail to plan, regret tends

to follow. A financial plan will help you save money so you can do the things you want to do in the future: buy a 2nd home, send your kids/grandkids to college, start a business, travel, etc. Even beyond your predefined financial priorities, an effective financial plan can help you pursue goals that you don’t even know exist but will arise in your future.

Workforce woesAs retirement approaches, for those who

have not implemented a financial plan, many find their retirement nest egg is insufficient and are forced to stay employed longer than they had hoped to. According to a US News & World Report study, the number of older Americans foregoing traditional retirement is on the rise, and the numbers will continue to go up.1 On the flipside, some retirees are forced out of work early. In a research study

featured in USA Today, 60% of US workers retire sooner than they expected.2 In either scenario, having a plan in place can lessen the financial burden.

The No. 1 financial fear is realized: Running out of money during retirement

What do retired Americans fear the most, even more than death? Outliving their money. This also includes those who are considered high net worth. When you factor in longevity, inflation and rising healthcare costs, it’s a valid concern. In a recent report published by the Employee Benefit Research Institute (EBRI), this could be the reality for up to 83% of Baby Boomers.3 If you’re still reading this blog, you can probably guess what we recommend to offset your risk of running out of money during retirement and prepare for the rising costs of healthcare: follow your financial plan. Your financial plan should also include a spending strategy so you know how much money you can spend during each phase of retirement – that way you can enjoy your years in retirement.

None of us knows what the future holds. Don’t let the fear of the unknown be the driving factor in making life’s trade off deci-sions. Instead, gain the confidence financial planning provides in handling unexpected life events.

Clifford York is an associate wealth advisor for Carson Wealth – Vincennes and brings two decades of financial services experience to the firm. York resides in Vincennes with his wife, Angie, and their three children. His hobbies include golf, working out, coaching his children’s various youth sports teams and he has a passion for deer hunting.

812.882.2415800.982.2415

516 Vigo StreetVincennes, IN 47591

www.ewingprinting.com

At Ewing Printing,we have spent the last century changing and improving to meet the needs of our customers.

Call us today to see how we

can help you improve your

business with the latest in

printing technology.

OUR SERVICES INCLUDE

Graphic Design

Printing

Direct Mail

Display Graphics

Signage

In-house Binding

Folding

Packaging

Shipping

AND MORE

QUALITY PRINTING &

SERVICE SINCE 1918


THROUGH SEPT. 8The Year of the Pledge ExhibitRed Skelton Museum of American Comedy, V.U. Campus. The Year of the Pledge celebrates the 50th anniversary of Red’s recitation of his iconic Pledge of Allegiance on his television show on Jan. 14, 1969. This new exhibit, sponsored by Niehaus Lumber, will feature items from the collection surrounding Red’s Pledge, including awards, recordings, paintings and letters from various congressmen and stories about Mr. Laswell and Red’s inspiration for creating this pledge. Museum admission required. For more information, call the Red Skelton Museum at 812-888-4184.

MARCH 8“In the Mood”, V.U. Alumni Series EventRed Skelton Peforming Arts Ctr., V.U. Campus, 7:30 p.m. For tickets and more information, call the Alumni Office at 812-888-4354.

MARCH 12Homeless Summit ProgramFortnightly Building, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Knox County Charity Tracker network in cooperation with the United Way of Knox County will host its first-ever Homeless Summit Program. The format will include first-person testimonials and an educational panel on the definition, nature and impact of rural homelessness as well as an explanation of current resources and plans to better coordinate these efforts. There will be a short breakout session at the end for individuals to participate in small community conversations to elicit additional ideas and suggestions for moving forward. Light snacks and beverages will be served. For further information, call Mark Hill at 812-882-3624.

MARCH 14Ag Day SupperP.E. Complex, Vincennes University, 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. A porkburger supper will be prepared and served by Knox County Pork Producers and the Knox County Farm Bureau, Inc. A “kiddie tractor pull” (registration 5:30 p.m. - 6 p.m.) and the “helping hands” (learn to milk a cow) interactive exhibit will be part of the evening. Dinner tickets are $1 each and are available at all Knox County Banks and the Knox County Farm Bureau, Inc.

MARCH 24Ivan Parker Benefit ConcertRed Skelton Performing Arts Center, V.U. Campus, 4 p.m. Ivan Parker will perform in concert to benefit Helping His Hands Disaster Response Group. For tickets and more information, call the RSPAC Box Office at 812-888-4039.

“V.U.’s Got Talent” Variety ShowRed Skelton Performing Arts Center, V.U. Campus, 7 p.m. This free event is open to the public.

MARCH 30-31“The Great War”, WWI EventIndiana Military Museum, 715 S. Sixth St., Saturday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.. Hundreds of WWI artifacts will be on exhibit including a 100-yard re-created WWI trench, artillery, vehicles and living history displays. Battles will be re-enacted both days with representatives of Allied and German troops. Free admission to outdoor events. Re-enactors and vendors interested should call the Indiana Military Museum at 812-882-4316.

APRIL 4Drum Enchanted EveningRed Skelton Performing Arts Center, V.U. Campus, 7:30 p.m.

This event is free and open to the public.

APRIL 5First Friday Art Walk Main Street/Downtown Vincennes, 5 p.m. - 8 p.m. Get “spring fever” during the next “First Friday” Art Walk! Visit Art Space, the Northwest Territory Art Guild and the Open Gallery to shop and browse through original works of art. Have dinner at one of the downtown restaurants and shop participating businesses during extended hours.

APRIL 5The Bellamy BrothersRed Skelton Performing Arts Ctr., V.U. Campus, 7:30 p.m. Presented by the Vincennes University Alumni Community Series. Call the Alumni Office for tickets and more information at 812-888-4354.

APR. 11-14V.U. Theatre Department’s Spring Play, “Tartuffe”Production dates and times are as follows: April 11, 7 p.m.; April 12, 7 p.m.; April 13, 7 p.m.; April 14, 2 p.m. Tickets are required: Adults, $12; Seniors, $7; Non-V.U. Students, $5. For ticket information, call the RSPAC Box Office at 812-888-4039.

APRIL 13Dueling PianosRed Skelton Performing Arts Center, V.U. Campus. Save the date. More information to come.

APRIL 17An Evening of Winds and PercussionRed Skelton Performing Arts Ctr., V.U. Campus, 20 Red Skelton Blvd., 7:30 p.m. No tickets required and this event is free and open to the public.

APRIL 19-21, APRIL 26-28“Vintage Hitchcock,” A Live Radio PlayOld Town Players Theatre.

Spies, murder, love, and other trademarks of Alfred Hitchcock come to life in the style of a 1940s radio broadcast of the masters of suspense’s earlier films. This triple feature-including The Lodger, Sabotage, and The 39 Steps-recreates a daring train chase, a serial killer’s ominous presence, and a devastating explosion through the magic of live sound effects and musical underscoring.

APRIL 24Guitar FestRed Skelton Performing Arts Center, V.U. Campus, 7:30 p.m. The concert will feature performances by the Classic Guitar Quartet, Blues Ensemble, String Ensemble, and advanced guitar class. The songwriting class will be performing original numbers. Free admission and open to the public.

APRIL 27“Twelfth Night,” National Players ProductionRed Skelton Performing Arts Ctr., V.U. Campus, 20 Red Skelton Blvd., 7 p.m. Tickets are required:Adults, Seniors and Non-V.U. Students, $2; V.U. Students, 1 free with V.U. I.D.; Faculty/Staff, 2 free with V.U. I.D.

APRIL 26“The Crucible,” National Players ProductionRed Skelton Performing Arts Ctr., V.U. Campus, 7 p.m. Tickets are required: Adults, Seniors and Non-V.U. Students, $2; V.U. Students, 1 free with V.U. I.D.; Faculty/Staff, 2 free with V.U. I.D.

APRIL 30Jazz On The WabashRed Skelton Performing Arts Ctr., V.U. Campus, 7:30 p.m. No tickets required and this event is free and open to the public.

calendar


the sonic boomer

My career in the KISS ArmyLong before I ever enlisted in the U.S. Navy, I was in the army — the elite KISS Army. By Todd Lancaster

SOMEWHERE IN THE mid-to-late 1970s I was a card-carrying member of the rock band KISS’s fan club known as the KISS Army, just about the coolest group of pre-pubes-cents to ever to ever find the answer to most of life’s difficult questions were all contained in 12 inches of vinyl and a little white grease paint (and a $5 membership fee).

At 12 or 13 I discovered the rock group KISS and I was pretty sure my life would never be the same. For a teenage kid in suburban New Jersey, KISS was the answer to most of my questions. They were loud, they were simple, they spoke a language only teenage boys understood and when they were on stage, they came on like a charging rhino in heat.

In other words, I had found my tribe.Now truthfully, KISS’s first three albums

were not very good; they were essentially a bar band with a record contract, and until their album KISS ALIVE broke the band nationally, they were just an under-ground band in lower Manhattan.

And as they say, “only in America” could this group of unremarkable near-hippies invent a persona that made the world (of 14-year-olds) stand up and take notice. Between their comic-book superhero perso-nas, 7-inch heels, fire-breathing, tongue-wag-ging, blood-spurting antics, KISS seemed to externalize everything I internalized as a kid who was waiting for his Clearasil to kick in.

I remember my mother walking into the bathroom one day as I was mixing every conceivable red food item (catsup, Jell-O, etc.) and household chemical to create a concoction that would flow like the blood that demon bassist Gene Simmons dripped out of his mouth before the encore. I think she is still disturbed by what she saw and is still hoping it was “just a phase.”

I doubt there was a week that went by where I wasn’t sporting a KISS belt buckle, T-shirt, or buying posters, KISS keychains (although I had no keys), a KISS radio or anything else that would eventually transfer

my currency into a deposit at the First National Bank of Ace, Gene, Paul and Peter. At one point, I remember walking 2 miles to Teaneck, New Jersey, on a cold November day to buy the first issue of the KISS comic book. Why? Because each member of KISS donated a vial of blood that they mixed in with the red ink, duh.

Just like it was yesterday, I remember my mother ironing a KISS transfer on a T-shirt and telling me I wouldn’t even be listening to KISS in a year. I thought that was the craziest thing that ever came out of her crazy mouth; after all, being part of the KISS Army was a LIFESTYLE CHOICE.

My middle-school music teacher, Mr. Walton, was just about the coolest guy in the world. On his classroom walls were posters of Queen, David Bowie and KISS, and he wore a Grateful Dead T-shirt over his shirt and tie on Fridays. He also told us that in 20

years Elvis Costello would be a legend (and he was right, for the most part). He taught basic guitar in music class, and every day I would find an excuse to get out of Spanish class early so I could be the first one in line to pick out the cheap sunburst-painted nylon-string guitar that looked the most like the one Ace Frehley played.

The funny thing is 40 years later, I would still rather play guitar than just about anything else, and I’m sure if my wife ever met Mr. Walton, she would have some choice words for him.

My mother was right; about a year later, I had moved on to Led Zeppelin, Neil Young, Jethro Tull, the Stones and every staple of FM radio. I sold my KISS albums to my friend’s little brother and never put on the grease paint again.

Throughout the 1980s and ‘90s, KISS also took off the makeup, fired band members and made some of the most painfully predictable and uninteresting “hair metal” ever created.

However, at some point in the early 2000s, they realized that there was a whole generation that was ready to relive 1970s junior high. So KISS put the makeup back on and has been cashing checks again ever since.

Recently, Sirius/XM satellite radio introduced a KISS Army station and my radio has been stuck there. I can’t believe how poorly produced the early stuff was or how blatantly misogynist most of the lyrics were, but never-theless, it still makes me smile to hear “Detroit Rock City,” “Flaming Youth” or “Hard Luck Woman.” My 18-year old daughter doesn’t get it and unless you were part of that exact sliver of the Baby Boom generation, you wouldn’t get it either. I know one thing for sure: Junior high girls in 1977 didn’t get it.

Look, I get it; KISS was rock and roll’s version of the WWF, but for those who were part of that zeitgeist, there will always be junior high — and always a KISS poster on the wall next to Farrah Fawcett in your old bedroom in your parents’ house.

Todd believes the 7-inch leather heels are the only part of a KISS costume he could fit into today. Write to him at [email protected].

Between their comic-

book superhero personas,

7-inch heels, fire-breathing,

tongue-wagging, blood-

spurting antics, KISS

seemed to externalize

everything I internalized as

a kid who was waiting for

his Clearasil to kick in.


Boomer Toys, Trappings & Trivia By Todd Lancaster

Paul Stanley briefly abandoned his “Starchild” image in favor of a “Bandit.” While Gene, Ace, and Peter had settled on the basic ideas for their makeup designs by about mid-1973, Paul tried out a new look now referred to as the “Bandit.” The first version, with plain black framing both eyes, made him look more like a raccoon.

A calf born in Kerrville, Texas, in the summer of 2017 looks remarkably like Gene Simmons. Heather Taccetta, who lives on a ranch with her family, said that the calf belongs to her grandmother. They named it Genie, in honor of the singer.

The similarity be-tween the Nazi SS logo and Kiss’ logo became a problem after the SS logo was used in a

political ad in West Germany. Aware that the use of their logo could further incite the public (although it was not

then illegal to use the SS symbol), Kiss modified it prior to a September 1980 tour of West Germany by round-ing the edges and making it look more like a stylized KISS. All of their German-issued albums and marketing materials have since used this modified branding.

Katey Sagal was a backup singer on Gene Simmons’ 1978 solo album. Before she gained fame with American television audi-ences for her portrayals of Peg Bundy (“Married … with Children”) and later Leela (“Futurama”), Sagal juggled a music career with bit parts in TV movies in the early ’70s. Sagal also sang backup for artists such as Bob Dylan, Tanya Tucker, Etta James, Molly Hatchet, Olivia Newton-John and Bette Midler.

AUTO • HOME • BUSINESS • LIFE

www.pekininsurance.com

Congratulations!

Burkhart Insurance Agency, Inc.

16 North 1st StreetVincennes, Indiana

(812) 882-3600

To learn more about available coverages, call Burkhart Insurance Agency, Inc., or visit www.pekininsurance.com.

This award is presented annually and is based on outstanding professional performance with regard to servicing the insurance needs of policyholders, the community, and the company. This agency has met or exceeded the award requirements and has gone Beyond the expected® to earn this distinguished honor.

This award honors the late Robert T. Tebben, who provided significant contributions to Pekin Insurance for more than 50 years. His hard work and dedication greatly influenced the success we enjoy today.

BURKHART INSURANCE AGENCY, INC.

Beyond the expected.®Robert T. TebbenAgency of the Year Award



Congratulations!



(812) 882-3600








Congratulations!



(812) 882-3600








Congratulations!



(812) 882-3600








Congratulations!



(812) 882-3600







the wild life

Wherefore art thou, spring?I was 9 years old when I discovered my dad’s cache of Beatles album cassettes in a rack in our garage. By Rama Sobhani

I KNEW MY dad loved the Beatles, so I grabbed them all and started listening in earnest. From the moment the first notes of “Love Me Do” hit my tender young ears, I was literally hooked. I devoured all of the Beatles’ albums and to this day remain a devoted Beatlemaniac to the point that when I learn to play a new song on the guitar, it’s the most satisfying to learn one of theirs.

Last night I pulled out my acoustic and brushed up on George Harrison’s beautiful

ballad, “Here Comes The Sun” and it suddenly dawned on me that the lyrics were particularly relevant to the moment because as I sit here typing this, we’ve just been made aware by the weather forecast that we’re expecting 6-10 inches of snow in the next few days, followed by bitter cold. On the verge of spring and Old Man Winter’s not done with us quite yet. It’s been a long, cold, lonely winter, indeed.

Hopefully, by the time this magazine

starts to make the rounds, things look a little better and the snow has all but completely melted away. I don’t have high hopes for that, if the history of this winter is anything to go by. It turned much colder than usual, much earlier than usual and the whole bone-chilling affair just seems to be dragging on more than usual. Usually around this time, I start to get really antsy, anyway, because we’re at the point that spring is so close you can feel it in the air. Visions of catching fish, riding motorcycles and summer travel dance in my head as the spring peepers, the first frogs to awaken from their winter slumber, begin chirping way off in the distance, out in the river bottoms at Ouabache Trails. In fact, the peepers were peeping earlier this week, and


now, I’m sure, have reconciled their false start and retreated back into their holes. The peeper, which is a quite small tree frog species, can produce a type of antifreeze that prevents them from being killed in cold weather. So, in the next few days, when the temperature is supposed to drop down to about 10 degrees, the peepers will be just fine. The rest of us, however…

I know it doesn’t get so cold here that daily survival through winter is a legitimate question for most who live here. Certainly, the Midwest is no Siberia, where it gets so cold that gasoline freezes and some people in remote regions have to use a torch on vehicle fuel lines to get them started. Still, whenever the forecast calls for 6 inches of snow and what are described as “bitterly cold” temperatures, I do sometimes question my life choices. It’s moments like those that I start to think about my family back in Southern California, and, while I’ve heard it’s been colder than normal there, as of late, there’s definitely no threat of frostnip from absentmindedly touching anything metal in 10-degree cold. Before I wound up in the Midwest for school, I was blissfully unaware of what winter actually is. During these times of winter dragging on, I kind of miss that ignorance. Give me the “blue pill” on winter.

I know spring will come eventually, it’s inevitable. I’m reminded of my eighth grade U.S. History teacher, Mr. Hughes, who told his class, wisely, that the hardest mile

is the last one to run. That’s true waiting for spring, too. One keeps thinking that if you can just tolerate a little more cold, a little more snow, it will all be worthwhile once the delicious spring rains start. Heavy coat weather turns to light jacket weather, beautiful wildflowers spring up at Ouabache Trails and the mushroom hunters come out in droves. They’re the real harbingers of spring. When that comes to pass, I breathe a sigh of relief, having survived another

winter. We’re almost there, just a little bit more. Sun, sun, sun, here it comes.

Rama Sobhani has been the superintendent of the Knox County Parks and Recreation department since 2012 and before that worked as a reporter for the Vincennes Sun-Commercial. He is originally from the West Coast, but became a Hoosier when he completed his master’s degree at the Indiana University Ernie Pyle School of Journalism in 2008.


Courtesy of The National Comedy Center

VINCENNES KNOWS ITS comedy. After all, it’s the birthplace of beloved comedian Red Skelton.

Comedy fans might enjoy a summer trip to The National Comedy Center, located in Lucille Ball’s hometown of Jamestown, New York. The National Comedy Center is the first state-of-the-art museum and national-scale visitor experience dedicated to telling the vital story of comedy in America. As a nonprofit cultural institution, the museum celebrates comedy’s great minds and unique voices, from Charlie Chaplin to George Carlin to Dave Chappelle. Exclusive collections and world-class exhibits give com-edy fans an unprecedented behind-the-scenes look at the time-honed creative processes that have elevated entertainment to an art.

The 37,000 square foot, $50 million facil-ity tells the story of comedy from its origins through the present, with more than 50 immersive, interactive exhibits. The National Comedy Center opened on Aug. 1, 2018.

“There has never been a national cul-tural institution that provides comedy the

opportunity for appreciation often afforded other art forms. Lucille Ball understood the power of comedy, and had the vision for her hometown to become a destination for its celebration in a way that would educate, foster and inspire. That’s what we’ve set out to do here,” said National Comedy Center Executive Director Journey Gunderson.

Each visitor to the Center will experience a personalized trip as exhibits respond to one’s personal comedic sensibilities via the creation of a humor profile. After creating their profile, they will receive a wristband fit-ted with an RFID chip worn throughout the stay. In turn, visitors will be able to explore content tailored to their individual tastes, from broad satires to edgy satire. Along with educational games and fun competitions, guests can step into the shoes of comedy pros, trying their hand at cartooning, comedy

Above, the National Comedy Center in Jamestown, New York, is a nonprofit cultural institution that celebrates comedy’s great minds and unique voices. Below, Johnny Carson and Richard Pryor in a museum display. | Photos courtesy Jay Rosenblatt

CELEBRATING COMEDYThe National Comedy Center honors the art form in Lucille Ball’s hometown

you realize you gave your future a nice giftThat moment when

Creating a financial plan focused on

achieving your dreams and goals may be

the best gift you give your future.

Wealth Management Services

Contact us today!

(812)882-4528germanamerican.com


writing, live stand-up, and faux pie fights — or simply cheer on their friends.

Skelton’s artifacts included in the archives

Other Center highlights include George Carlin’s massive archives that provide a glimpse into one of comedy’s most pro-lific minds and additionally, the National Comedy Center feature rare artifacts from some of comedy’s most notable names including Vincennes’ own Skelton, along with Charlie Chaplin, Harpo Marx, Rodney Dangerfield, Jerry Lewis, Lenny Bruce, Joan Rivers, Richard Pryor, Jerry Seinfeld and Garry Shandling.

And this summer, the National Comedy Center will debut the “The Ernie Kovacs Centennial Exhibit” which will showcase never-before-exhibited creative papers, rare audiovisual content and original, screen-used artifacts from the legendary comedian’s influential 1950s and early 1960s television shows and specials.

Visitors will leave the museum with a profound appreciate for comedy icons and innovators, as well as the tremendous influence of humor on how we think, live, and laugh.

The National Comedy Center also presents the annual Lucille Ball Comedy Festival which features more than 50 events

and 30 performers throughout its weekend celebration. This year’s Festival will take place Aug. 7-11.

Jamestown also has the Lucille Ball Desi Arnaz Museum that features rare memo-rabilia from “I Love Lucy,” props, costumes, Lucille Ball’s Emmy awards, and replica studio sets.

Located in Jamestown, a city in Chautauqua County and Western New York, The National Comedy Center is in the region of Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Cleveland, Pittsburgh and Toronto.

For more information, visit www.comedycenter.org

Right, visitors to the National Comedy Center use an interactive display. Below, a museum exhibit has the vibe of a midcentury-modern living room.

Invest in the future. You can make a gift that lasts forever and establishes your legacy of giving. The Community Foundation offers the power of endowment, where a portion of your fund is invested so that it can grow over time. Earnings from this investment are used to make grants that benefit this community forever. Your gift creates a lasting stream of funding available for community good.

320 E Main St, Washington, IN 47501 812.254.9354 CommunityFoundationAlliance.org/Daviess

20 N Third St, Ste 301, PO Box 273 Vincennes, IN 47591 812.886.0093 CommunityFoundationAlliance.org/Knox


boomer health

Plant-based diets benefit athletes’ heart health, enduranceOver the past year and a half I have been extolling the benefits of a plant based diet. The

science behind plant-based eating is so strong that now even elite athletes are converting. By Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine

ATHLETES ARE ALWAYS looking for a competitive edge — and that could mean swearing off meat. Elite athletes from Olympians to NFL linebackers are adopting vegan or vegetarian diets for improved performance, quicker recovery and overall health. Even if you’re into running half-mar-athons or otherwise competing for personal enjoyment, growing evidence suggests that following a plant-based diet could help you get leaner and train better.

Meat-free athletes — including tennis champion Venus Williams, Olympic skater Meagan Duhamel, ultra-marathoner Scott Jurek, Formula 1’s Lewis Hamilton and Derrick Morgan of the NFL’s Tennessee Titans — have already proven the performance-boosting power of a plant-based diet. Now, “Plant-Based Diets for Cardiovascular Safety and Performance in Endurance Sports,” a new scientific review published in the journal Nutrients adds further evidence that plant-based athletes benefit from improvements in heart health, performance and recovery.

The report comes on the heels of studies that have found that endurance athletes have a higher-than-average risk for diseases of the heart, including atherosclerosis and myocardial damage. According to one

study, 44 percent of middle-aged and older endurance runners and cyclists had coronary plaques, which can increase heart disease risk. A low-fat, plant-based diet is the most effective dietary pattern clinically shown to reverse plaque. Such a diet also addresses other key factors such as elevated blood pressure, cholesterol and body weight, as well as diabetes.

“It’s no wonder that more and more athletes are racing to a vegan diet,” says review co-author James Loomis, M.D., M.B.A., medical director for the Barnard Medical Center. “Whether you’re training for a couch-to-5K or an Ironman Triathlon, a plant-based diet is a powerful tool for improving athletic performance and recovery.” Dr. Loomis, who is currently training for an Ironman Triathlon, is also featured in The Game Changers, a documentary on vegan athletes scheduled to be released in 2019. He also served as team internist for the St. Louis Rams and the St. Louis Cardinals.

The researchers also find that a plant-based diet boosts athletic performance and recovery by increasing blood flow and tissue oxygenation and reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. A varied diet of fruits, vegetables, grains and legumes, along with

a vitamin B12 supplement, provides all of the necessary nutrients an endurance athlete needs, including protein, calcium, and iron.

Going plant-based doesn’t necessarily mean you have to totally eliminate meat. Our definition of a plant-based diet allows for modest amounts of fish and lean meat. But more importantly, choosing a diet heavy in fruits and veggies may help ward off chronic diseases and keep you svelte in years to come.

Dotsie Bausch is an Olympic medalist and a true believer in diets that are free from animal products. Now retired from competitive cycling, Bausch is a multiple USA Cycling National Champion, two-time Pan American champion and silver medalist in women’s cycling team pursuit at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. As an elite athlete, she embraced plant-based eating about nine years ago and has since become a full-time advocate.

For Bausch, healthy eating means a vegan rather than vegetarian diet. Dairy products are not OK from her perspective. An anti-cow’s milk public service announcement featuring Bausch and five fellow Olympians — which aired during coverage of the closing ceremony of the 2018 Winter Olympics games in Pyeongchang, South Korea — makes that clear.

She noticed results from her new way of eating almost right away.

“I wasn’t feeling as inflamed, creaky or sore, or just kind of blah in the morning,” she says. “I was bouncing out of bed — I felt ready to go. I was more energized.”

The biggest race, Bausch says, was against the time it took her body to recover after training and competing. Changing to a plant-based diet helped.

“When you recover faster, you can handle more load,” Bausch says. “You can handle more damage, more training. The more training you can do, the faster you’re going to become. People can’t train 24 hours a day, because you have to recover. So if you recover fast, you can train again. So, yes — I got much better and much faster.”

If plant-based eating benefits world class athletes, maybe all of us can learn from them.

Dr. Neil Sweigart is a native of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and a graduate of Indiana University of Pennsylvania and Logan College of Chiropractic. He practices in Vincennes with an interest in natural methods.


tech talk

Company website job boards have become a much more common method businesses use to list

openings and find interested potential employees. By Mike Gingerich

PROGRAMMING A JOB board and adding it to your website used to be a formidable undertaking. WordPress Job Manager is a plugin for WordPress-based websites that adds a feature-rich and easy-to-use job openings board to your site. Not only does WP Job Manager take the work out of programming your own job board, but it is also easy to use and maintain by HR or company administrative personnel, has several useful features, and it doesn’t conflict with your website’s theme or layout.

Useful featuresWordPress Job Manager has several features

that make an easy to use job board solution. Some of these features you’ll like include its easy-to-use interface, employer tools, search tools for users on the website, and customization tools that allow you to modify your board to fit your company needs.

User interfaceWordPress Job Manager is designed to be

lightweight and easy to use. If you’re using it, you’ll immediately recognize the user interface as it makes use of the WordPress UI, making for a

plugin that blends in well with your site and its current material. This makes searching your job listings easier for visitors as there is no learning curve due to it using a familiar format. This UI choice reduces visitor frustration and increases engagement.

Front end usabilityWP Job Manager gives employers the

opportunity to list their own jobs. This listing tool is simple and easy to use. An employer can fill out the job description, details, and other relevant information then complete it with an associated email or means of contact where interested read-ers can use to apply. After being given a preview the listing can be edited or sent for approval before getting posted on the job board. Giving employers the ability to edit and write their own job listings makes the job board easier to use and navigate for an easier hiring process.

FilteringFiltering tools make searching your job listings

easier for visitors searching job listings on your website. WP Job Manager’s filtering tool can search by keywords, location, category, and the job

type. In addition to this, an RSS subscription tool is also included for visitors to follow a specific feed to fit their employment needs. These search tools make navigating your job board easier and make it more attractive to third-party companies and those looking for work.

CustomizationWordPress Job Manager is designed to be

flexible. It can be modified with various items including templates, and customized postings. This means you can modify your job board to fit specific needs and to match the overall theme of your website.

Why use it?WP Job Manager offers an easy to use and

practical solution if your WordPress site needs a job opening board. It’s also a versatile solution because you can use it as a job board for just your company or if you’re doing business with other companies they can also make use of your board through their own accounts. It also saves you all the work, time, and money of coding and programming a job board on your own while still giving you the ability to make modifications to fit your needs. No matter what job you’re looking to list, WP Job Manager can help you do it!

Mike Gingerich is president of Digital Hill Multimedia (www.DigitalHill.com), a Goshen web design and marketing agency. He is also a co-founder of TabSite.com and Waftio.com, leading software tools for contests and lead capture, and author of the book Game Plan for Social Media Lead Generation. Find out more at www.MikeGingerich.com/book.

WordPress Job Manager easy to use and maintain

502 N. 7th St., • Vincennes, IN 47591 812-886-4380 Visit: kcpl.lib.in.us

Open 7 DaysA Week!

April 7-13, 2019

Libraries = Strong

COMMUNITIES1000’s of historical documentsavailable online @kcpl.lib.in.us

Local newspaper digitized 1830-1959

Sunday 1pm-5pmMonday, Tuesday, Wednesday 8:30am-9pmThursday, Friday, Saturday 8:30am-5:30pm

March / April2019

213 Main St. Vincennes • 812-316-0660Hours: Tuesday 11:00am til 5:30pm

Specialty Cake Orders & Cakes For Retail

1911 N. 6th St.,Vincennes

Ph: 812-886-6979Fax: 812-886-6916

All Meats, Cheeses & Vegetables Sliced

In House Daily

Chili, Cheesy Potato Bacon & Broccoli Cheese Soups

Home Made Daily

Oven Roast - Roast Beef & TurkeyGrilled Chicken Sandwiches

& Specialty Salads

HOURS Mon.-Sat. 10am-5pmWE

DELIVER!

127 N. 2nd St., Vincennes

812-882-0914

711 Main St Vincennes

Free Cupcake with Purchase

Gracie’s Restaurant

224 Main St. 812-890-3325

15% off Regular Priced Item Expires April 30, 2019

Unique handmade items from Third World Countries. Purchases help families living in poverty.

Bulk Foods • Deli Meats • Cheese Sandwiches • Candies • Jar Goods

Bakery • Crafts

VINCENNES, IN | 812-895-0903


the boomer1040

Reduce your tax liability and pay yourselfPerhaps you have just prepared your 2018 income tax return and find that you have a

balance due. By Roy Ice

WITH THE RECENT changes to income tax rates and withholding tables, many taxpayers are calculating a smaller refund or perhaps even a balance due. To reduce this effect, you may be eligible to contribute to an IRA which could reduce your 2018

income tax liability. Contributions can be made through April 15, 2019, and still be

deductible on your 2018 income tax return. The outcome is that you save yourself tax dollars while simply changing pockets with your own money. Your IRA is an account that you can control while saving for your own future!

Depending upon whether you have retirement plan coverage with your em-ployer, you (and possibly your spouse) may be eligible to contribute up to $5,500 your IRA. If you are over 50 you are allowed to make a catch up contribution of $1,000. Be aware of income limits which may affect the deductibility of your contribution. The limits are higher if you do not have an employer sponsored retirement plan. For 2019 the contribution limit is $6,000 with a catch up amount of $1,000 if over age 50.

A traditional IRA allows your invest-ments to grow without paying taxes until you withdraw funds from the account in retirement. Once you’ve reached eligible retirement age, you’ll be taxed at your

ordinary tax rate upon withdrawal.

Beyond the tax benefits

Although you receive no immediate tax

benefits, another option is a Roth IRA.

Using this approach, you make after-tax

contributions and upon retirement the

withdrawal will be tax free including any

earnings. In certain circumstances, you may

be able to access your funds early without

any consequences related to taxes and

penalties. A Roth IRA account is also a

good option to create a legacy for children,

or grandchildren, as there is no mandatory

distribution requirement at age 70 ½.

If you are eligible for self-deferral in a

work place 401k, 503b or other plan you

should likely consider that option prior to

funding an IRA — especially if an employer

match is available.

Remember that you are paying yourself

to fund your own retirement!

Roy Ice, a native of Vincennes, is a graduate of the University of Southern Indiana, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in accounting in 2012. He became a licensed CPA in 2014. He lives in Vincennes with his wife, Katelyn, and their son, Lockhart.

IRA contributions can be made through April 15, 2019, and still be deductible on your 2018 income tax return. The outcome is that you save yourself tax dollars while simply changing pockets with your own money.

Where you get your therapymakes a difference by helping you recover from injury faster and at a much lower cost.

In Indiana you have the ability to:• refer yourself for physical therapy (Physical therapy only)*

• and, to request your ProRehab therapist for physical or occupational therapy.

ProRehab is the leading provider of physical and occupational therapy in the region, and your Best First Choice.

Give ProRehab in Vincennes a call 812-882-1141

812-882-1141 ProRehab Vincennes

* Medicare and some insurances require provider referral


Courtesy of Metro News Service

DURING LENT, A 40-day period serving as a reminder of Jesus’ profound sacrifice and ulti-mate resurrection on Easter Sunday, Christians across the globe focus on their faith and cut out the excesses of life, with many fasting and abstaining from indulgent behaviors.

Many Christians do not eat meat each Friday during Lent, also abstaining on Ash Wednesday and other holy days of obligation. That makes Lent an ideal opportunity to incorporate new meatless recipes, including seafood, into one’s culinary repertoire. The following recipe for “Roasted Black Bean Cod” from “Low Fat for Life” (DK Books) by Sue Kreitzman can certainly fit the bill.

Roasted Black Bean CodServes 2

1 large garlic clove1⁄2 inch piece fresh ginger, peeled2 teaspoons teriyaki sauce1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar1 cod fillet, about 3⁄4 lb Freshly ground black pepperSpray made of water-diluted oil1 quantity of Black Bean Tomato Sauce (see below) Salsa of choice

Black Bean Tomato Sauce4 cloves garlic, peeled

1 inch fresh ginger6 to 7 scallions, chopped11⁄4 cups stock1⁄4 cup dry sherry1 teaspoon oyster sauce1 teaspoon Chinese chili sauce2 teaspoons Chinese black bean sauce1⁄2 cup passata Juice of 1 lime2 tablespoons fresh cilantro

Make the black bean sauce and set aside:Crush together the garlic and ginger and

put in a wok with the chopped scallions, stock and sherry. Simmer briskly until the liquid has almost evaporated.

Stir in the oyster, chili and black bean sauces and bring to a boil. Continue to boil, stirring for a few seconds.

Stir in the passata, and then simmer briskly for 30 seconds. Stir in the lime juice and chopped cilantro and simmer for a few seconds longer.

Make the codCrush together the garlic and ginger and put

in a bowl with the teriyaki sauce and vinegar.Put the cod on a plate and cover with

the ginger-garlic mixture. Grind over some pepper. Marinate at room temperature for approximately 20 minutes.

Mist a baking sheet with the oil-water spray. Put the cod on the sheet, scraping all of the marinade over the fish. Spray with oil and oven-roast for 9 to 10 minutes per one-inch thickness of fish.

Spoon the heated Black Bean Tomato Sauce onto a plate. Set the roasted fish on top, then surround with salsa as garnish.

DELICIOUS SEAFOOD LENTEN DINNERSfor


Courtesy of Metro Creative Connection

DONUTS ARE A guilty pleasure for many people. Though they might not make nutritionists smile, donuts are a beloved indulgence.

People who love donuts may find that love reaches a new level after they try their hands at the following recipe for “Cookies and Cream Donuts” from Heather Saffer’s “Crazy Easy Vegan Desserts” (Sterling Epicure).

Cookies and Cream DonutsMakes 6 donuts

11⁄2 teaspoons distilled white vinegar1 cup gluten-free flour1⁄4 cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda Pinch of salt1⁄2 cup granulated sugar1⁄4 cup unsweetened applesauce2 teaspoons coconut oil, melted1 teaspoon vanilla extract12 vegan crunchy chocolate cookies, crushed

1 12-ounce jar Dollop Gourmet Madagascar Vanilla vegan frosting Milk

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray a donut pan with nonstick cooking spray.

2. Pour the vinegar into a 1⁄2 cup measure. Add enough milk to come to the brim. Let sit until slightly thickened, 5 to 10 minutes.

3. In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt. In a large bowl, mix together the sugar, applesauce, coconut oil, and vanilla. Slowly add the flour mixture and mix until smooth. Add the almond milk mixture and continue mixing for 1 minute more. Add half of the crushed cookies and mix until just combined.

4. Scoop the batter into the prepared donut pan, filling three-quarters of the way full. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, 10 to 15 minutes. Let cool before frosting.

5. Microwave the uncovered frosting jar for 5-second intervals, stirring in between, until soft. Gently frost the top of each donut.

Sprinkle the remaining crushed cookies over

the donuts.

INDULGEHOMEMADE DONUTS

in


the dirt ongardening

Green has a dual-purpose meaning this time of yearWhat is the first thing you think of this time of year that pertains to the color green? By Tom Yoder

IT COULD MEAN green grass or possibly the sprouts of green flower shoots but most probably it would be St. Patrick’s Day and four-leaf clovers.

What St. Patrick’s Day means to me is go-ing to one of my favorite restaurants, wearing green, and eating corned beef, cabbage and potatoes while drinking a “green” beverage that probably has been turned green artificially with food color. Corned beef and cabbage can be a connoisseur’s delight if prepared right or it can be a bland disaster. The best corned beef is prepared from the brisket of the beef that has been brined and marinated with

spices for several days; meat markets normally have them whole and in cry-o-vac and soaking in the marinade. Some markets will use the “point” of a hip roast called a “brisket round” (a large round and thicker cut taken from the hip of the animal) but this cut is normally not as tender because of where it is taken from. Served along with the brisket is a large cut of cabbage (usually a quarter to a half head) and boiled potatoes (sometimes baked) with carrots and onions; am I drooling?

Shiny green top-hats with a black bow-tie are a common sight at eating establishments as well as strands of shiny green Mardi-Gras type beads and battery-operated flashing green lights which may be four-leaf clovers, green earrings for the women, or any silly thing that says fun. It is and has always been a fun night out for everyone that is in a party mood and is a connoisseur of this Irish dish.

St. Patrick’s Day is a global celebration of Irish culture on or about March 17 each year to remember one of Ireland’s patron saints who ministered Christianity in that country during the Fifth Century.

The wearing of green and leprechaun costumes dates back to the 17th Century to

honor this patron saint. Custom has it that anyone not wearing the traditional green of any kind can be “pinched;” it doesn’t have to be anything more than a green ribbon or such to be safe from the pinching. Some diners and partiers go all out with complete leprechaun costumes or other Irish attire.

Turning our attention to another kind of green this time of year (our grass), it is easy to get overly anxious to fertilize our lawns to get a jump on nature and green-up that tired brown grass that you are getting tired of seeing; after all, stores are all stocked with bags and bags of all the gardening necessities and are advertising it in earnest. Even though it is tempting to apply early, you’ll be doing yourself a favor by waiting. Grass roots aren’t able to cope or take up the nitrogen until ground/soil temperatures reach a constant 66 or 67 degrees when they’ll be reaching deeper in the soil, so do as Purdue says and wait until at least the first of May or even the second week of that month.

If you want to put something on your lawn now and if you’ve been troubled by crabgrass, then by all means apply a pre-emergence crabgrass control on your lawn any time be-fore new sprouting occurs. If you are troubled by those three-leaf or four-leaf clovers in your lawn, there is an application available to eliminate those too.

Tom Yoder is a Master Gardener who resides in Goshen, Indiana. He can be reached by email at [email protected].

World-class & local: •

EXPERIENCE FIVE OF MARRIOTT’S TOP SPAS IN ONE STATE: ALABAMA

FLORENCE · HOOVER · MONTGOMERY · MOBILE · POINT CLEAR

The Resort Collection on Alabama’s Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail · rtjresorts.com/spacard

After a round of golf, enjoy a relaxing massage or body treatment at a great

Marriott spa. In North America, five of the top Marriott and Renaissance

spas are found on Alabama’s RTJ Spa Trail. For guest satisfaction, the Spa

at the Marriott Shoals in Florence and the Spa at the Grand Hotel in Pt. Clear

are consistently ranked in Marriott’s top 10. For Renaissance Hotels, the Spa

at Montgomery, the Spa at Ross Bridge in Hoover and the Spa at the Battle

House in Mobile are always highly ranked for pampering their guests. All

five of these spas are part of the RTJ Resort Collection and feature innovate

treatments inspired by Southern Hospitality. Clearly great golf and spas

work well together in Alabama. Come experience them for yourself.

RTJ1015_ResortSPAS_CNHI.indd 1 11/1/16 1:19 PM

boome€¦ · if you believe you have been the victim of any type of scam or attempted scam, the...

Documents