The Press-Dispatch

November 30, 2022

The Press-Dispatch

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$1.00  28 PAGES  Four SECTIoNS  ThrEE INSErTS  PETErSBurG, IN 47567-0068 WEdNESdAy, NovEmBEr 30, 2022  PIKE PUBLISHING  voLumE 152, NumBEr 46 Christmas in Pike County LOCAL A6 Patoka Township Fire and Rescue warn of holiday fire issues By Sherri Sebella News Editor sherri@pressdispatch.net Patoka Township Fire and Rescue firefight- er Bart Stemle, who has been a firefighter for over 32 years, knows first hand the dangers of electrical fires during the holidays. "It almost happened to me," Stemle said. "I almost burned my own house down, plugging too many lights into one outlet, so fire safety at the holidays is near and dear to my heart." The Patoka Township Fire and Rescue put together a safety bulletin for the public to keep in mind during the holidays and at other times of the year for their safety. "The Holiday Season is a wonderful time of the year," Stemle said. "We just need to remem- ber some safety tips to ensure a safe and hap- py holiday." When it comes to fresh cut Christmas trees, remember to always keep water in the base, along with the chemical packets available to mix with it. This will help preserve your tree and keep it from drying out. It also helps to make the tree fire retardant, according to Stem- le. Everyone loves Christmas lights. The more lights the better for most, but all lights have a number of strands that you can safely string to- gether. This will be listed on the box the lights came in. LED lights are much safer than in- candescent lights, and they burn much cool- er. They also require less electricity. Stemle has seen a drop in fires as a result of more and more people using LED lighting versus the in- candescent lights. Stemle suggests setting your tree to light up with a timer. "Timers are a good idea because you can set them for when you are home," Stem- le said. "That way, if something were to happen, you can catch it before it's too late. I haven't seen as many fires lately, but there have been fires during the holidays over the years from Christ- Christmas bell ringing campaign vital to Salvation Army's mission By Andy Heuring Press-Dispatch News news@pressdispatch.net You see them and hear them this time of year at numerous stores throughout the Unit- ed States. Those people in red vests ringing bells standing by a red kettle. They are part of the volunteers that make the Salvation Army go. "It is absolutely vital. It is the number one fundraiser for us. Without it, we would be crippled for the number of services we do. If it is a good year we can do up to $40,000," said Pike/Gibson Salvation Army Major Chris Marques. The Salvation Army through October of 2022 has provided 761 food baskets and more than 1,507 bags of groceries, served 2,111 meals, helped 11 families with utilities and three families were provided rental housing and another 543 services were provided. Marques said with there has been a consid- erable flux in the services they have provid- ed since COVID. He said when COVID first hit there was a big influx of people in need of services. Then last year it waned, but this year with the big jump in inflation they are seeing another big influx in services needed. "We have 175 households so far this year who have never been here before and in those households there are 503 people who have never been here before," said Marques. Just because there is increased need does not mean there is increased giving to meet the demand. Marques said he only has the numbers of col- lections made for the first four days of this year's red kettle campaign. But they are not good. So far the campaign in Gibson and Pike Counties has brought in about $2,811, which is off about $500 from last year's totals over those same four days. "I'm not surprised. We have not had the amount of ringers we need. I need people to help stand at the doors," said Marques. Former Pike County Bell ringing chair- man Cal Biddle has moved out of the area. John Burns just in the last week volunteered to take that over. Burns said he especially needs volunteers to ring at the Dollar General Store in Peters- burg. The Salvation Army also rings bells at Petersburg Hardware. Anyone or any orga- nization interested in ringing bells can call Burns at 812-789 -3536. Petersburg Kiwanis members shop 'til they drop By Jill Hyneman Correspondent news@pressdispatch.net Petersburg Kiwanis members have been busy planning the last few months for the Kiwanis Kids Christ- mas. Kiwanis had seven volunteers divide and conquer a list of 70 Pike County kids to shop for. The group purchased each child an outfit, coat, shoes, socks, underwear, hats, and gloves. Petersburg Kiwanis partners with the Pike County Sheriff's Depart- ment and Pike Central National Hon- ors Society to reach a bigger group of kids with both clothing and toys. Kiwanis will also provide a pizza par- ty with a visit from Santa during the delivery of the presents. The newest member of the Pe- tersburg Kiwanis Club is Jennifer Daugherity. "I had been in Kiwanis before and enjoyed it," Daugherity said. "I want to make sure all kids in Pike County get to celebrate Christ- mas. I know that my adopted boys have gone years without Christmas, and the thought breaks my heart." Kiwanis funds Kids Christmas through fundraisers like their golf scramble and selling chicken & noodles at local events. The Kiwan- is group revived a previous fundrais- er this year where they would place plastic flocks of flamingos in yards and the homeowners must pay to have them removed and then place in another yard. "Kiwanis gives me a chance to give back and make a difference." Dustin Schnarr Kiwanis member, said. "I love celebrating Christmas with my family, and I feel blessed to be able to help the Petersburg Kiwanis bring Christmas to children who might not Youth volunteers Kimber Boger and Josie Warner helped Petersburg Kiwanis sort coats by size, so they can be put together with all of the other gifts each child receives. Ron Sharp rings bells for the Salvation Army on Saturday afternoon at Petersburg Hardware. Sharp is one of many vol- unteers who help out the Salvation Army in their biggest fundraiser of the year. Anyone wanting to volunteer can call John Burns at 812-789-3536. Carefully decorating your home can help make your holidays safer. Be- tween 2015 through 2019, U.S. fire departments responded to an average of 160 home fires that started with Christmas trees per year. U.S. fire de- partments responded to an estimat- ed average of 790 home structure fires per year that began with deco- rations, excluding Christmas trees. Photo courtesy the National Fire Protection Association. NEWS TIPS Phone: ���������������������812-354-8500 Email ����� editor@pressdispatch�net INSIDE Local ����������������� A1-8 Shopping����������������A5 Obituaries ��������������� A7 Sports �����������������B1-3 School ��������������������B3 Classifieds ���������� B4-6 Winter Sports ����������� C Home Life ������������D1-6 Opinion ������������������ C2 History ������������������� C3 Church ��������������D4-5 uSPS 604-34012 See FIRE on page 2 See KIWANIS on page 2 INSIDE INSIDE winter winter spoRts spoRts preview preview winter winter spoRts spoRts preview preview

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