The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1447470
Sweet's Column By Barb Sweet My So Called Millennial Life By Stephanie Hayes "A Fool's Journey," by William Shake- speare's lesser cousin, Phil Shakespeare: The fool notices a dead tree in the yard, all black and gnarled. Branches are fall- ing into the street, squirrels screaming. The tree must come out. The fool knows it's time to get esti- mates for tree removal, one of the least fun ways to spend money outside of den- tal work and bail. The fool Googles "tree removal near me." The fool discovers a website for what seems like a small, family-owned compa- ny in her area. Even better, it has a handy little box to request an estimate. The fool loves that kind of convenience, for she is a fool! The fool does not stop to question any- thing. The fool has not learned any les- sons over a lifetime of lessons. Not one little lesson in her little lesson-free life. The fool puts her contact information into the form. The fool gets an auto-reply saying sor- ry, the small, local company cannot do the job, but they are checking with some of their friends. Friends? Who, the fool wonders? Ross and Rachel? The fool panics. The fool is no longer just a fool. She is a clown. She is the Joker, the Joaquin Phoenix one. The clown immediate- ly receives an email that reads, "Thanks for using HomeAdvisor! Here are the pros we matched to your tree removal project." The clown did not mean to use HomeAdvisor! The clown has been tricked! The clown wanted to "do her own research," but not in the bad way! The clown's phone immediately starts ringing, and it does not stop for the rest of the bedeviled day, filling with voicemail after voicemail from tree removal peo- ple, each hungrier to remove her twisted tree, their tongues lashing. They do not know that the true dead timber now re- sides within the clown's very soul. The clown, overwhelmed, shuts down completely and doesn't answer a single call. Although these service providers will give her what she seeks, which is a quote, she is the emotional equivalent of Don Draper in season six. There's just nothing there. The clown has one move left, which is to tweet that she is a clown. Maybe someone will see it. Maybe no one. It doesn't mat- ter. She's a prisoner of some- one named Angie, or maybe it's Angi, or maybe it's Pow- ered By Angi; she is not sure. The clown's tweet, against all odds, reaches a friend who also has dead trees. He sends along a phone number for the kind of tree guy who is not on HomeAd- visor. The kind of tree guy who has no website, no online forms, who may be best reached by flare gun, actually. The kind of tree guy who is not expecting her call, but has a chainsaw, and is willing to use it. The clown sheds a tear. She will call. First, she gazes once more upon the ashen, twisted limbs. The phone chimes again, and again, and again. Stephanie Hayes is a columnist at the Tampa Bay Times in Florida. Follow her at @ stephhayes on Twitter or @ stephrhayes on Instagram. The coldest average day of the year is shifting about three to six days later east of the Rockies with new climate data, and that data puts us current- ly on the back end of winter. The shortest day of the year is, of course, the winter solstice, but the coldest day of the year always lags behind due to the time required for the sun to re- gain a foothold on the horizon. The climate averages used to compute a "normal" climate are now the 1991 to 2020 pe- riod. The 1981 to 1990 data has fallen off the grid, which means all of our climate vari- ables have changed slight- ly to significantly. Total Janu- ary snowfall has remained the same, at 3.4 inches in Evans- ville. January average tem- peratures have increased, from 32.5 degrees Fahrenheit to 33.6 degrees Fahrenheit. The average date of the coldest day has shifted from mid-January to late January, with the range of Jan. 21-25 in the newest data set. While this shift is only an average, it does make remem- bering the potentially coldest day a little easier. The shortest day usually falls on Dec. 21. With our new average coldest day of Jan. 21- 25, we can remember that it falls about a month after the solstice. The reason we wait about a month is that the sun remains tilted away from us for some time after the short- est day of the year, increasing our potential for cold weather. Now that we are in February, and the days are increasing in length by the minutes rather than seconds, that sunlight is becoming more intense, reduc- ing our odds for achieving the coldest day of the year. Reduc- tion is not elimination, howev- er, and Jan. 21-25 is an average. The coldest day of the year in 2021 was Feb. 16, with a mean temperature of 9.5 degrees on the day. Since 2016, that has been the only coldest day re- corded in the month of Febru- ary. Assuming we do not get two Februaries in a row with sim- ilar weather, Jan. 7 will be re- corded as the coldest day of the year for this year at a mean tem- perature of 12 degrees. Thirty years of data were taken into account to calculate the clima- tological average, but even the simple average of the last two years gets us close to the mark. As far as the title of this ar- ticle goes, the author feels strongly that a country sing- er could take it up and make a hit single out of it. The song could be something about how the coldest day of the year did not fall in winter, but instead the day the dog died or the girl- friend left him. Perhaps the coldest day of the year was the day Momma went to prison or got run over by a train. For more information, please contact Purdue Exten- sion office in Posey County via hschmitz@purdue.edu or 812- 838 -1331. C-2 Wednesday, Feburar y 2, 2022 The Press-Dispatch I accidentally put my number on HomeAdvisor Coldest day of the year Down on the Farm By Hans Schmitz, Purdue Extension Educator To enter the Birthday Club, fill out the form at www. pressdispatch.net/birthday. Only the person's name, town and birthday will appear in the paper. As an added bonus, one lucky person each month will receive a free six month Press-Dispatch subscription. JANUARY WINNER And the winner is... Beverly Bement from Petersburg. Beverly won a six-month subscription to The Press-Dispatch. Congratulations! THIS WEEK'S BIRTHDAYS Christi Ashby ............................ Petersburg .............2/3 Oraletta Earles .......................... Petersburg .............2/3 Susan Preusz ............................... Otwell ................2/4 Elzena Strain ............................. Petersburg .............2/5 Stacey Vaughn ............................Evansville .............2/5 Braden Schultheis ..................... Petersburg .............2/7 Claire Myers .............................. Petersburg .............2/7 Fred "Tubb" Mitchell ................. Petersburg .............2/7 Tammy Coan ............................. Petersburg .............2/7 THIS MONTH'S SPONSOR The Press Dispatch PIKE COUNTY'S NEWS NETWORK 820 E. Poplar Street, Petersburg 812-354-8500 • www.pressdispatch.net Hi stars and welcome to the big stage all lit up in colorful bright lights and dec- orated to help celebrate with all our stars who will have a birthday or anniversary in the week of February 3-9. Come up on- to this stage and take a bow. Belated birthday to Adelaida Ferreira, who turned 15 years on January 31. She had a birthday party with all of the family. BIRTHDAYS February 3-Linda Harp turns 71; Brit- tanie Caluya Stott turns 29; Connie Craig and Jacey Lamb. February 6 -John David Meyer turns 61; Tiffany Wartham Meyer turns 32. February 7-Rusty Hale turns 62; Dathan and Crystal Wright celebrate 13 years. February 8 -Sam Williams; Cheyanna Hayes turns 16; Jim and Sherry Lamey celebrate 58 years. February 9 -Rosalee McQueen Wright; Blake Stewart turns 39. May all our stars have a really great day and may all your wishes come true. Keep in your heart and in your prayers all our stars who are going through sur- geries, treatments, tests of all kinds, those with allergies, and the aches and pains of everyday life: Katy, Benny, An- nabel, Tim and Mildred. People we have known have passed and many in Pike County. Rickey Willis, 68, who passed on January 20. We know Sue, Lucas and Alex, we send our deep- est love. Louie Schlachter, 37, passed on Jan- uary, 23. He loved to bowl and was on a team, who were also Down Syndrome stars. We are also saddened to hear the pass- ing of Daniel Turner, 62, on January 18, and his wife, Wesena, 59, on January 21. They had a small business in Otwell. To all the families, remember all the great times and share memories. Rickey, Louie, Daniel and Wesena will be missed. EVENTS February 8 -Winslow Beauti- fication and Economic at 6:30 p.m. at the Snyder Community Center. February 10 -Petersburg Li- ons Club meets at 6 p.m. February 14-Valentine's Day; Winslow Town Hall meeting at 6 p.m. Winslow senior citizens are meeting on Monday and Tuesday at the Community Center. Petersburg seniors meet in the courthouse basement. We received no postcards this week at Sweets Column, Winslow, IN 47598. Winslow Patoka River has gone down to about 3/4 full with thin sheets of ice to form from the freezing and below temps we have had. Last week, except for Sunday, January 23, and Monday, 24, in the 40's, we stayed from 20 -33 degrees, with a north wind of 5 -15 mph. Our nights were in the teens, with two days in the single digits and a wind chill zero and below. This cold spell came from Lake Michigan. Out for a drive, just to get outside and all of the decorated yards are now bare; until the next special day, Valentine's Day, with hearts and cupid. Some have their lights still up, one house has a Christmas tree and nativity set, one business as a big snowman and there are wreaths on Main street. Not all yards will decorate on those special days, so you will have to keep looking when you go out for a drive. These areas are times when you can see a heron flying over Winslow, or a hawk or eagle sitting on a post or tree. There are some splendid views all around the water at Logtown, Ayrshire, Pike State Forest, McCords Ford, the south road in- to Goosehill, Twin Pitts and on the State Road 64 to Princeton. Laura, our daughter, just had a birth- day and no matter how old they become, like 41, kids still grow up too fast. Some would say we are the ones that grow older. Laura did see and hear her group, Skillet, and she bought some item to remember her birthday present. Then on her re- al birthday, January 24, before she had to go to work, she stopped by and we gave her a variety of foods. Its not the gift you would usually give, but a gift of what she needs. She loved it. On T V we saw where, starting this year, five new quarters are coming out to show five women in history. How many of us have that pinned up feeling from being inside, because it's too cold or no place to go? With snow, ice, sleet and freezing temps, it is hard to talk of spring or summer. I hate to say it, but I will, and that is we need the frigid temps to kill most of the varmints that come out in the spring and into summer, and more days of it than two here and there. I don't like ticks in the yard and I don't like mos- quitoes that stay out all day and you can't enjoy sitting in your yard. This day is Thursday, January 27, and to look out when you wake up to see that white stuff, snow, falling with small flakes on everything: porch, street, trees, grass and vehicles. More of a winter mix to come this evening to make our Friday a stay off the road and inside to look at the white covered ground and trees. It could be slick, especially on side roads and streets. Also, Winslow town elections are in November, have you filed yet? The lights are about to dim for this week. Keep an eye on family and friends. Slow down and see all the wonders in your area. Always smile, wave and say "hi" to everyone you see this week. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 5 • 10am EST at the Auction Barn – 2667 E. CR 400 S., Winslow Auction pick-up available! KALEB CLARIDGE AU11700062 Follow on Auctionzip.com • ID# 46613 • AUCTION Call Today to schedule your auction! No Buyer's Premium. PETERSBURG ESTATE AND CITY OF HUNTINGBURG This auction is featuring chevy 2500 truck, very nice John Deere mower (low miles) diesel 4 inch water pump or trailer, several other water and trash pumps, like new concrete mixer, four wheeler, Quincey compressor, tools, outdoor items, 75+ pieces of quality furniture (Tell City and others) antiques, collectibles, glassware, pink and green depression, vintage Pyrex, all types of baseball cards (some graded), several silver coins and other coins, Indian artifacts, marbles, unique items, household items, wine cooler and much more! AUCTION JASPER IN, DUBOIS COUNT Y R E A L E S TAT E Wednesday, March 2 nd @ 6PM Offered in 5 Tracts 57 ± Acres AUCTION LOCATION: Knights of Columbus Hall, 5103 West Walnut St, Ireland, IN 47545 DIRECTIONS: From Jasper IN, at the jct of Hwy 231 and Hwy 56 at the "Triangle" take Hwy 56 west 5 miles through Ireland to Co Rd W 300 N turn left 1.1 miles to Co Rd N 750 W, turn south and proceed 4 miles (turns into Co Rd W 50 N) to Co Rd S 900 W turn south 1 mile to the auction property. INSPECTION DATE: Tues, Feb. 8th • 11AM -1PM BUYER'S PREMIUM: A 4% Buyer's Premium will be added to the final bid price and included in the contract purchase price. • 40+/- Tillable acres, Woods • Potential Building Sites • Public Water Available • 7 Miles West of Jasper • Jasper School District • Combine Tracts to Create Your Own Desired Property OWNER: Jason & Heather Burkhart AUCTION MANAGER: Brad Horrall, 812.890.8255 (800)451-2709 SchraderAuction.com AC63001504, AU1052618 REAL ESTATE TRANSFERS Hannah Brittain conveys to Deborah J. McCrary and Ronnie J. Merter, Jr., real estate as recorded in Pike Coun- ty. Defur Voran LLP Trustee of the Marilou Mann Revo- cable Trust and Marilou Mann Revocable Trust convey to Oakland City University Foundation Inc., real estate as re- corded in Pike County. Bryan R. Corn conveys to Bryan R. Corn and Sarah Va- nessa Edwards, real estate as recorded in Pike County. Castle 2020 LLC, conveys to Thomas R. Estey, Jill A. Es- tey and Jeffery D. Estey, real estate as recorded in Pike County. Jasmin V. Allen conveys to Timothy Ennis and Melissa Ennis, real estate as recorded in Pike County. William C. Young and Gregory R. Young convey to Wil- liam C. Young, real estate as recorded in Pike County. William C. Young, Cynthia Rae Hupfer and Gregory R. Young convey to William C. Young, real estate as record- ed in Pike County. William C. Young conveys to Billy C. Young and Billy C. Young Trust, real estate as recorded in Pike County. Jenice Salts conveys to Gerald Bradford Burke and Ruth L. Burke, real estate as recorded in Pike County. Jerald L. Sendelweck and Michael L. Sendelweck quit- claim to Sarah Alexander, Steve Sendelweck and Jerald Sendelweck Irrevocable Trust, real estate as recorded in Pike County. Vanessa Landstrom, Jill Lavonne Feltner and Estate of Jill Feltner convey to Jeffrey Austin and Stephanie Austin, real estate as recorded in Pike County. AREA HAPPENINGS Celebrate Recovery–Will meet every Monday at 6 p.m. at the River of Life Church, 342 E. CR 300 N., Petersburg. For more information, contact Pastor Jim at 812-354-8800. Pike County History Center—Will meet the fourth Monday of each month at the History Center, 1104 Main Street, Petersburg at 6:30 p.m. New members welcome. History Center hours Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. until further notice. DAR—Local chapter of the Daughters of the Ameri- can Revolution meet the second Monday of each month September through June at 6 p.m. at the History Center in Petersburg. Free Clothing Bank–Oak Grove Church in Oakland City offers a free clothing bank each Tuesday 9 -11 a.m. (Oakland City time) for everyone. They carry new and used clothing. Location is on Morton Street, just past Chuckles. Come to the gymnasium door located at the back of the church. Winslow Alcoholics Anonymous – will meet every Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. Call 812-789 -8535 for location of the meeting. Odd Fellows IOOF Pacific Lodge #175 meeting–the second Monday of each month at 7 p.m. All area members are encouraged to attend. Otwell Ruritan–will have its monthly meetings the sec- ond Monday of each month at 7 p.m. Pike Lodge #121 F&AM regular stated meeting–the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. All area Masons are invited to attend. Jefferson Township Community Center of Otwell– will have its monthly meetings the first Monday of each month at 6:30 p.m. All members are urged to attend. Perinatal Loss Support – Expectant parents who sud- denly lose their child often experience a wide range of emo- tions and grief. Memorial Hospital and Health Care Cen- ter offers support to assist those who have experienced the loss of a child (conception to one month of age) through the grieving process, and provide an atmosphere of confiden- tiality and comfort. For more information about Perinatal Loss Support, con- tact Theresa O'Bryan, Pastoral Care, at 812-996 -0219 or to- bryan@mhhcc.org. Grief Support Series-The death of a loved one, a child leaving home, overwhelming changes in one's personal life – each can cause profound grief and suffering. To offer reas- surance and comfort, Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center has developed a free support program called "Grief Support Series." Call for the next five-week program. Programs will be at 6:30 p.m. in Memorial Hospital and Health Care Centers Chapel. This program is free and space is limited. Pre-reg- istration is necessary, please call 812-996 -0219. Stendal Community Create and Craft Night-The first Tuesday of each month, anytime between 6 -9 p.m. at St. Pe- ters Lutheran Church fellowship hall. Bring a craft, sewing, yarn or unfinished projects. Create and finish projects, and learn new ones while having fun. For more information, call Sherry Meyer at 812-457-9842. Daviess/Pike Co. Right to Life Aluminum Can Drive-Saturday, Feb. 5, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. at Tractor Supply in Washington. This is a aluminum can drive only. We no longer accept newspapers for recycling. "High Blood Pressure: Diagnosis and Manage- ment"-Join Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center's IU School of Medicine Family Medicine Residents as they discuss "High Blood Pressure: Diagnosis and Manage- ment" on Wednesday, February 16 from 6 -6:45 p.m. in the Medical Arts Building Conference Center, located at 721 W. 13th Street in Jasper.