Rooted in History Museum offers look into the past - A DAILY JOURNAL PUBLICATION
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
SOUTHSIDE
BOOMERS
A DAILY JOURNAL PUBLICATION Fall 2021
Rooted in
History
Museum offers
look into the past
Man finds strength through CrossFit // Recipe: Clams and Corn
SOUTHSIDE
BOOMERS Fall 2021
10
ON THE COVER
4
PAGE 3
Keep your
mind sharp
Museum Director David Pfeiffer
stands outside the Johnson
County Museum of History. PAGE 16
Southside Boomers is published Orchid
by the DAILY JOURNAL
30 S. Water St.
Second Floor, Suite A
Heaven
Franklin, IN 46131 Woman finds
native flowers in
For editorial content, contact
Amy May in the Daily Journal her back yard
special publications department
at 317-736-2726 or by email at
amay@dailyjournal.net
page 10
For advertising content, contact
the Daily Journal advertising 14 Column:
department at 317-736-2730
cross-generational Train travel
All content ©2021 Daily Journal.
All rights reserved. No portion of
this publication may be
reproduced in any form without
fitness 15 Recipe:
Clams
permission from the publisher, 63-year-old finds strength and
except as permitted by U.S.
copyright law. accountability through CrossFit and corn
2 BOOMERS | fall 2021
Why choose us?
Great ways to keep
We’re dedicated to you.
your mind sharp During these uncertain times, we are continuing to work
story by StatePoint
to ensure all families are able to celebrate their loved ones.
September, which is World active; and if you can do so Offering innovative options from online arranging tools to
Alzheimer’s Month, is an outdoors, all the better. Research
excellent reminder to keep your suggests that connecting with
drive-up visitations, we are dedicated to
mind and body healthy through nature is good for one’s mental helping you honor your loved one.
the years. Experts say that doing well-being, reducing stress,
so can reduce your risk for anxiety and depression. Support We are committed to providing
cognitive decline. Try taking on your journey with tools that track as many options as possible
these new hobbies to keep your your activity and inspire you to and are remaining flexible as
mind sharp as you age: delve further into adventures,
whether that be hiking, fishing or
families decide how
• Cooking: Not only can the
development of a new rock climbing. Some watches to proceed in this
complicated skill such as feature technology to provide you unprecedented time.
cooking improve cognitive with temperature and barometric
functions like problem-solving pressure so you can keep your No matter what
and concentration, but having eye on the weather conditions comes our way,
the ability to create your own while out and about, as well as
sunrise and sunset times, an app we are here
nutritious meals at home has the
added benefit of being good for for anglers and much more. for you!
brain health. From TikTok tutorials • Camaraderie: Having an active
to online classes taught by social life can improve brain
master chefs, today, there are function. Unfortunately, if you
more avenues for picking up aren’t proactive about it, there
culinary know-how than ever are not always that many
before. opportunities to make new
• Music: Learning to play a friends in adulthood. Whether it’s
musical instrument has countless a sewing circle or a bowling Paul & Kristin St. Pierre
benefits for brain health, helping league, consider joining a club or
improve memory, hand-eye team for camaraderie and fun.
coordination and more. It’s also a • Fast fingers: Did you know that
mood booster, which is you can use your calculator to
important, as depression is keep your mind engaged when
considered a risk factor for there’s downtime or you’re
dementia. Check out instruments
designed to build skills quickly.
Whether you’re a total novice or
on-the-go? Calculator games can
build math skills, improve St. Pierre Family
taking up the piano after a long
memory and keep your mind Funeral & Cremation Services
nimble.
hiatus, electric keyboards, for Caring Since 1897
Just as it is important to maintain
example, are portable, easy to physical fitness as you age, it’s
use and connect to an app that Live well. Leave well.™
also critical to exercise your
features lessons and more. mind. Stay mentally active by
• Exercise: The mind-body trying new hobbies, building new (317) 881-2514 • www.stpierrefamilyfuneral.com
connection is strong. For ultimate skills and seeking out new
©2020 MKJ Marketing
brain health, stay physically experiences. Wilson St. Pierre Wilson St. Pierre Singleton & Herr Mortuary
Franklin Township Chapel Greenwood Chapel & Memorial Center
Indianapolis, IN Greenwood, IN Indianapolis, IN
DJ-35051663
IN-35084598
BOOMERS | fall 2021 3
From past
to present
and ‘mini’ more
4 BOOMERS | fall 2021 Linda Talley, genealogy librarian, looks at a map of downtown Franklin.
»
Johnson County Museum of History features
variety of exhibits, miniature models
Story By Cheryl Fiscus Jenkins | Photos by mark freeland
A walk inside the former Masonic Temple reveals said David Pfeiffer, museum director. “Anywhere
a vault of artifacts bringing local history to life. we have space, we will put some artifacts.”
Each room tells a story and invites visitors to An old telephone booth boasts a small display
learn more about Johnson County’s unique past. at the entrance, along with a featured tempo-
From geological beginnings to the whimsical rary exhibit called “Bound by Friendship: The
1950s, the Johnson County Museum of History Sister Cities of Kuji and Franklin,” highlighting
covers decades of nostalgia in its exhibits and the partnership of both localities and Japanese
displays. The building sits quietly at 135 N. Main culture, plus the benefits of forming a personal
St. in Franklin but holds something fun and in- relationship.
formative for people of all ages immediately after “Early Inhabitants and Pioneer Settlers” focuses
stepping in the door. on local history 400 million years ago in the
“A lot of what we do is look at big events and Paleozoic Era and takes visitors to the early 1800s, A popcorn machine from the
see them through the eyes of Johnson County,” featuring a log cabin in the parking lot and a Historic Artcraft Theatre
IN-35084590
BOOMERS | fall 2021 5
the historic site.
The museum holds year-round cultural
events for the public from a Victorian Tea to
its storyteller speaker series, which features
a variety of topics including this sum-
mer’s timely talk on the Spanish influenza
pandemic.
Wine, Cheese, and All That Jazz is an an-
nual fundraiser featuring local wines, hors
d’oeuvres, live music and a silent auction.
September’s Heritage Day boasts craft dem-
onstrations and re-enactments.
The museum holds its week-long summer
Time Travelers’ History Camp, where chil-
dren explore Indiana’s past and enjoy crafts,
food and games. Lights shine brightly in
December when the auditorium transforms
into a winter wonderland, and the museum
holds an open house, tree decorating com-
petition and pictures with Santa.
For volunteer Bev Hollandbeck, the holi-
day festivities bring her much joy.
“I like the Christmas season,” she said.
A retired English teacher and history
enthusiast, Hollandbeck has volunteered
for the museum since 2004 and spent
several years working as the administrative
assistant. She is the editor and writer for
the quarterly “Nostalgia News” newsletter/
magazine and helps with research in the
genealogy and history library.
The library, open during regular business
hours, is rich in history and offers free in-
Conestoga covered wagon indoors. drivers, a uniqueness to the period since dexed and online resources to help commu-
“This is the SUV or minivan of the 1830s,” ladies primarily left the driving to men in nity members trace their family tree. It also
Pfeiffer said. later decades, Pfeiffer said. allows residents to research the background
Above: “Suddenly Heroes: Indiana Infantry in The local Museum of History began in of their home, which has become a popular
Wooton desk the Civil War” houses a cannon replica a room in the courthouse in 1931 by the pastime.
manufactured from the time period and a flag crafted by Alexander Hamilton Chapter of Daughters Hollandbeck enjoys helping people dig up
by The Wooton women of Franklin’s Hopewell Presbyte- of the American Revolution. It moved in information from the past.
Desk Co. of rian Church. The “Victorian Life” room 1963 to a donated house at 150 W. Madison “You can’t write a story until you have re-
Indianapolis explores developments after the Civil War St., and today is a partnership between the searched it,” she said. “I’m here to help them
to the 1920s, highlighting the formalities county and the Johnson County Historical get started. It’s like a mystery. Then you find
during Queen Victoria’s reign. It features Society, which purchased its current loca- it, and there is a sense of fulfillment.”
a courting bench in which couples could tion in 1988. The log cabin has been moved A dozen core weekly volunteers help the
sit side by side with a space between them, twice in the museum’s development and is facility run smoothly and up to 40 others
a finely crafted desk and a woman’s intri- also open for educational tours. donate time for special events and vari-
cately detailed dress of the times with many “We are hoping to never ever move it ous activities. Hundreds of people venture
tiny buttons. A photo display shows the again,” Pfeiffer said. He described a Lincoln through the library each year for genealogy,
introduction of cars and highlights women Log scenario of dismantling and rebuilding Pfeiffer said, and exhibit foot traffic comes
6 BOOMERS | fall 2021
from individuals, retirement groups, stu- of the former Mutz/Schaffer Drug Store
dents and many organizations throughout in Edinburgh and shows how pharmacists
the county. produced medicines in the 1920s.
“People of all ages come through here,” he “War and Peace” reviews the many faces
said. “There is always a lot to learn.” of Camp Atterbury and the area’s develop-
Pfeiffer likes to focus on special bicen- ment throughout the ages.
tennial and centennial anniversaries and A new featured display will begin Oct. 7
loves the museum’s hands-on approach to and will highlight local miniature artisan
learning. An interactive interurban map and master builder Jimmy Landers. He will
of the Midwest is featured in the “Roads, present his fully accessorized, handcrafted
Rails, and Runways: Transportation History mini Tudor home from 1891, a tropical
of Johnson County,” along with displays sunroom and a 1900s rural hardware store.
identifying the progression of streets from His friend from Florida will also display
dirt to gravel and a highway core sample a mini replica of the RMS Titanic’s Grand
from Interstate 65. Staircase and foyer, which Landers de-
A working jukebox plays records in “The scribes as magnificent.
Fabulous ’50s” area, and the Nick’s Candy The Tudor project has been almost a year
Kitchen replica shows the vibrant decorat- in the making and is based on a 12,000
ing style of that era. “In the Business of square foot home he saw on Facebook and
Good Health” displays nostalgic containers wanted to someday create in the miniature Beverly Hollandbeck works on the next issue of
of items such as Tums and Vaseline, history world. The work has a slate roof, cherry Nostalgia News, the magazine for the Johnson County
Historical Society. She is the editor.
IN-35080429
BOOMERS | fall 2021 7
Take a trip
Location: 135 N. Main St.,
Franlkin
Hours: Tuesday to Friday, 9
a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 wood floors, a grand piano in the parlor, a man it was filmed by HGTV for an upcoming
p.m. cave with a pool table and authentic tiny oil program.
paintings crafted by his granddaughter. It also Franklin’s Museum of History will house the
Website: co.johnson.in.us/ has a formal garden, a porch swing, wicker miniature collection until April. Sales from
jcmuseum/ furniture and a working fireplace. The home Landers’ books, featuring many of his projects,
Phone: 317-346-4500 features about 300 spindles Landers created for will be donated to the museum, he said.
the extensive stair and porch railings. The Museum of History is rich in tradition
“It’s quite a spectacular piece,” Landers said. and offers something for everyone from all
“My goal in building is to build pieces for parts of Johnson County. Pfeiffer feels fortunate
people to enjoy and for every piece I build to to have the intricate Masonic Temple building
Above: The Civil War section be in a public place for people to see.” to house displays and a supportive community
includes a replica cannon and The Greenwood resident has been craft- that takes pride in its interesting past.
muskets. ing miniature buildings for 15 years and has “I’m pretty proud of ours,” Pfeiffer said. “I
turned his hobby into a business, recently sell- think we have one of the better museums in
ing his largest work to a museum in Carmel. the state.”
He describes “The Sahlberg” as a miniature Entrance to the museum and much of its pro-
home built into a custom cabinet and said gramming are free, but donations are accepted.
8 BOOMERS | fall 2021
Landon Sheaf greets visitors to the Johnson County Museum of
History.
Michelle Cataldi, administrative assistant, works at her desk.
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
• Business Services • Commercial Law
• Medicaid Planning & Elder Law • Trusts
• Estate Planning, Administration & Litigation • Advance Directives
• Civil Litigation & Appeals • Real Estate, Land Use & Zoning
WILLIAMS BARRETT & WILKOWSKI, LLP
600 North Emerson • Greenwood, IN (Near I-65 & County Line Road)
IN-35084600
(317) 888-1121 • wbwlawyers.com
BOOMERS | fall 2021 9
10 BOOMERS | fall 2021 Pictured: Ralph and Lucy Hill
Cross-generational
»
Fitness Story By Greg Seiter | Photos submitted
63-year-old finds strength and
accountability through CrossFit
CrossFit training is intense and not CrossFit training appear to be growing interval training, Olympic weightlifting,
appropriate for “older” Americans … at in popularity among those who are near- plyometrics, powerlifting, gymnastics,
least, that has been the common public ing retirement age. kettlebell lifting, calisthenics and other
perception for a few years now. And One-time gymnast Greg Glassman exercise styles.
that mindset was probably reinforced is credited with introducing the gen- Almost since its origin, CrossFit has
among the estimated 11.6 million view- eral public to his CrossFit-branded been criticized for causing more injuries
ers who watched elite athletes compete fitness regimen in 2000. At that time, than traditional weightlifting and has
in high-intensity exercise-related events the activity was reportedly promoted as been said to promote a methodology
via Facebook and YouTube livestreams both a physical exercise philosophy and that may cause a potentially serious
during the 2019 Olympic-style CrossFit a competitive fitness sport that incor- breakdown of muscle due to extreme
Games, too. Despite that, variations of porated elements from high-intensity exertion. But 63-year-old Ralph Hill,
Memory loss
is delicate.
Flinn and Maguire Funeral Home has been serving
the surrounding area for over 100 years.
All of the services we offer are designed to help families through one of the
most difficult times of their lives. With the variety of
options we offer, you are guaranteed to find
what's best for your loved one.
Here at Flinn and Maguire,
we treat you like you are a
part of our own family.
Starting the conversation with a loved one?
We’re here to help.
317-736-5528
Call for details about Altenheim’s 2898 N Morton St.
Assisted Living Memory Care Franklin, IN 46131
317-788-4261
IN-35076112
IN-35084564
www.AltenheimSeniorLiving.com www.flinnmaguire.com
BOOMERS | fall 2021 11who owns a landscaping business and
works in sports massage therapy, is a
big believer in CrossFit training, even
for those classified as members of the
boomers generation.
“I’ve always been physically active
but my problem was that I didn’t have
the discipline to go to a regular gym.
I would go to a place for a couple of
months and then quit,” he said. “With
CrossFit, a workout is assigned each
day. There are coaches there on site,
and other people are around to correct
and encourage me.
“I’m not saying anything negative
about regular gyms. They just didn’t
work for me.”
Hill, who trains at Indy X Fitness
in Greenwood, has been involved in
CrossFit training for approximately
seven years.
“I started out by running spartan
off-road obstacle races,” Hill said.
“Consistency is the key for me. Plus, I
like competition.”
Hill enjoys competing against his
own personal expectations as well as
against other people.
“When I’m at the gym and there’s
another person next to me, I have a
sense of wanting to outdo that person.
But we also have regular competitions
both in and out of the gym,” he said.
“Every year, there’s even an interna-
tional competition we can participate
in if we want.”
However, Hill also understands that
many people are simply interested in
physical fitness.
“I love being physically fit,” he said.
“As we all know, physical fitness affects
emotional fitness. Plus, as we deal with
joint issues while we age, I find the
more I maintain my muscle fitness, the
less joint issues I have. CrossFit helps
with strength and flexibility issues.”
According to Hill, the defini-
tion of CrossFit is constantly varied,
12 BOOMERS | fall 2021functional movements performed at high movements safely. Coaches “Everything we do be able to achieve the For Hill and his wife, Lucy, CrossFit has
intensity. So, in that regard, he said people will also watch and tell you level of strength or endur- become a way of life.
need to first understand what functional if you’re trying to use too (in CrossFit training) ance that those who are “Lucy was in the Mayo Clinic five years
movements actually are. much weight,” he said. is intended to help half their age can but he ago with asthma, fighting for her life.
“Everything we do (in CrossFit train- Of course, as is the case also says that realization They told her that if she hadn’t been as
us function better
ing) is intended to help us function better with any sport or activity, shouldn’t prevent those physically active with CrossFit as she had
at everything we do, particularly with old there’s still a risk of injury at everything we do, nearing retirement age been, she would have had a much more
people as we age,” he said. “Using weights even for the most knowl- particularly with old from at least trying. difficult time making it through,” he said.
and weight resistance in addition to car- edgeable participants. “If we’re doing pull-ups “There are three levels to a motto we
dio is one of the best things we can do as “I would rather take that people as we age.” and you’re not able to do have at the gym — I’m better than yes-
we get older.” risk than sit around, be — RALPH HILL a good pull-up, there are terday; I don’t quit when I’m tired, I quit
Hill said CrossFit beginners at Indy X complacent and be out of different ways to adapt,” when I’m finished; and I’ll either puke or
Fitness go through orientation training shape,” Hill said. “Besides, he said. “There are other pass out before I die,” Hill said.
before starting a regular routine. injuries usually happen be- gyms that have specific “We recognize CrossFit isn’t for every-
“Generally, when you start, you’re put cause people are poorly coached or don’t classes for older adults but it’s understood body but at the same time, it’s definitely
through orientation that includes learn- control their ego.” here that if you can’t do something, you an extremely effective exercise technique
ing correct movements and how to do Hill admits that older adults may not just scale it back.” that works.”
BOOMERS | fall 2021 13Column: phyllis bex
»
A train ride in 1950
My crazy neighbors, Hobby and Sherry, are there. We’re at the light by Preston and East-
originally from Louisville, Kentucky. We have ern Parkway in downtown Louisville, right
lived across the street from each other for next to the White Castle restaurant.
over 15 years. I am still in the discovery mode “This was back in the day when customers
with them as they never cease to give me a walked up to the window to place their order.
chuckle. There were picnic tables or you could get it
They are in their mid-80s and behave like to go. That night, there was a crowd of people
they are in their mid-40s. What a refreshing in line. When her mom raised up and parted
twosome. However, when the first responders the velvet curtains in the back of the hearse to
call on them, I am sure to go over to see if I see the White Castle, people started scream-
can help. Although their bodies and minds ing and pointing. They thought the dead had
are willing, their flesh is starting to grow Phyllis Bex has been a resident come to life in the back of the hearse.”
weak. of Johnson county since 1973, Hobby and Sherry met in their late 20s
making her home in Green-
Standing at 6’7”, Hobby played basketball wood. She can be reached at on a blind date. When Hobby went to pick
for Vanderbilt from 1954-57. He played in 69 pbex49@gmail.com. her up, there was a note on the front door
games and averaged over 12 points and 12 which read. “I’ve gone to the beauty shop
rebounds per game. He had quite the career and will be back in an hour. Go around back
in those days. years; the project was called, “The Manhattan to the kitchen door. I’ve left some cookies
In 1950, Sherry and her mother took a Project.” Most of the project moved to New on the table for you while you wait. Cokes
passenger train from Louisville to Oak Ridge, Mexico in the ‘50s. Currently, Oak Ridge sup- are in the refrigerator, help yourself. See you
Tennessee to visit her dad’s sister, her aunt ports the same population, but now it’s on the shortly.”
and uncle. They switched trains in Corbin, map. Two research plants remain in operation Hobby complied and helped himself to a
Kentucky. Since Oak Ridge was situated in a and are cordoned off from the public with couple of cookies and coke while he waited.
dry county, they packed one suitcase full of razor wire fencing and gates. The wait seemed long and then he thought
Kentucky bourbon for the relatives to enjoy. Anyway, Sherry and her mother rode the to himself, “Am I at the right house?” He had
Thankfully, the trains’ conductors helped train back from Oak Ridge. As her mother Sherry’s telephone number and determined
them with that heavy piece of luggage. was stepping off the train in Louisville, she to check the wall phone to see if the numbers
For those of you who are not familiar with fell and broke her leg. Sherry’s uncle owned matched. They did not.
Oak Ridge, Tennessee, it is in the foothills of the Hardy funeral home in Louisville. Sherry’s He ran out of the house before the lady
the Great Smokey Mountains. It’s located ap- mom told her, “Call your cousin, George who lived there got home. Hobby jumped in
proximately 20 miles west of Knoxville. Francis. Tell him to get over here with the the car and said, “Go, go, go!” The guy they
In 1942, the federal government set out to ambulance to take me to the St. Joseph hos- were doubling with said, “What did you do
build the nuclear bomb to use in World War pital.” Back in those days, the funeral hearse with the girl?” Hobby told them the story as
II. With the influx of employees and support doubled as an ambulance when needed. they gunned it down the street another block
staff, Anderson County’s population grew George Francis hurried over to load his to Sherry’s house. He apologized to Sherry
from 2,400 to over 30,000 residents within aunt onto the gurney and put her in the back for his delay and told her what happened. It
two short years. Oak Ridge was first called of the hearse, not the ambulance. Sherry was has never been a dull moment between them
“Atomic City” and “Secret City.” in the front seat as they drove. At a stoplight, since. What an ice breaker.
The government built the infrastructure, her mom said, “Why have we stopped? My leg This summer, Hobby and Sherry celebrate
housing and supplies chains needed for the is pounding, and I need to get to the hospital. their 57th wedding anniversary. I look for-
new city. The town functioned in secret for 10 Where are we?” Sherry said, “We are almost ward to more stories.
14 BOOMERS | fall 2021RECIPE: STEAMED CLAMS WITH CORN, FENNEL AND CREME FRAICHE
»
A tangy update to clam, corn chowder
By Christopher Kimball | THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Sweet corn and briny clams could STEAMED CLAMS WITH CORN, FENNEL AND CREME FRAICHE
be the most classic of American Start to finish: 30 minutes | Servings: 4
pairings. Hundreds of years before 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Europeans arrived on New England
shores, Native Americans created 1 medium fennel bulb, halved, cored and thinly sliced
the clambake by digging pits in the 1 medium yellow onion, halved and thinly sliced
sand to steam them with lobster. 2 teaspoons fennel seeds
Add water and cream to the mix, and Kosher salt and ground black pepper
chowder would follow soon after.
2 cups corn kernels
To honor this summertime tradi-
tion at Milk Street, we pair the two in 2 pounds hard-shell clams (about 1½ inches
a chowder, of sorts, that you can eat diameter), such as littleneck or Manila, scrubbed
with your hands. Or maybe it’s a bro- ¼ cup crème fraîche OR plain whole-milk
thy clambake. Either way, the recipe yogurt
from our book “COOKish,” which In a Dutch oven, heat the oil until
limits recipes to just six ingredients shimmering. Add the fennel, onion,
without sacrificing flavor, elevates the fennel seeds and a pinch of salt,
combination with the substitution of then cook, stirring, until the
two flavor-packed ingredients. vegetables are lightly browned.
First, rather than the typical po- Stir in the corn and 1 cup water.
tatoes, we opt for fresh fennel bulb, Bring to a boil and add the
which adds notes of anise as well clams. Cover and cook over
as contrasting texture. And second, medium, stirring once or twice,
we finish with a small measure of until the clams have opened.
crème fraîche (or whole-milk yogurt) Stir once more, then remove
instead of cream. The tanginess pairs and discard any clams that
beautifully with the briny-sweet liq- haven’t opened. Off heat, stir
uid released by the clams to become in the crème fraîche and ½
a subtly creamy broth that’s as deli- teaspoon pepper. Season with
cious as the clams themselves. salt.
If you can, use corn kernels cut Optional garnish: Hot sauce or
from freshly shucked ears (you’ll chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
need two good-size ears to get the 2 or lemon wedges or a
cups kernels called for in the recipe), combination
but frozen corn works in the off-
season. Serve with oyster crackers,
or with crusty bread for mopping up
the broth.
BOOMERS | fall 2021 15Orchid
Heaven
Indiana’s surprising native
orchids fascinate locals
Story By Lyndsey Wolfe | Photos by carla clark
16 BOOMERS | fall 2021corresponding to the 43 native orchids in
Indiana. For reference, there are only three
A Purple Fringeless
orchid native orchids in Hawaii.
The book also shows a little map of In-
diana in each section with dots indicating
what counties that orchid can be found in.
When Young looked at the section for the
green fringed orchid, she saw that Bar-
tholomew County didn’t have a dot on the
map.
“So, I sent him another message that said
‘how do you get on the map?’” she said.
Homoya told her how to report her
discovery to the Biota of North America
Program (BONAP) and Young got Bar-
tholomew County added to the maps for
four orchids thus far, all of which she found
on her 140-acre property in western Bar-
tholomew County.
In 2016, she got Bartholomew County on
the maps for both the green fringed orchid
and the slender ladies’ tresses or green-
lipped ladies’ tresses. The next year, she re-
»
ported the spring ladies’ tresses orchids and
the puttyroot orchids and got those added
to the BONAP system, too. Young says
the BONAP system is important because
it has historically been used for the USDA
PLANTS database.
The orchids love her property so much
that she set a new county record for having
95 slender ladies’ tresses at one time. Young
loves the orchids, too. She says she tells
everyone who will listen about the flow-
Most people don’t know there are orchids She spent her childhood admiring wildflow- ers because she wants everyone in Indiana
native to Indiana, let alone that some could be ers on her family’s farm and never knew there to know that we have native orchids here.
growing right in their own backyards. Debra could be orchids in this area. Now, she wants Young says her new quest in life is to let
Young didn’t until a few years ago when she everyone to know about the beautiful varieties everyone know about the orchids because
noticed a unique flower on her property while of orchids native to Bartholomew County. she wants everyone to have the chance to
looking at wildflowers and decided to do some Luckily, the man she reached out to at the recognize and appreciate them.
research on what it could be. She found online DNR, Michael Homoya, is an orchid enthusi- “I feel like I’m doing some sort of service
that someone from the DNR could help iden- ast himself and wrote a book titled “Orchids of to the flower world to get the word out there
tify plants, so she sent them some pictures. Indiana.” Young went to the local library and that Indiana has native orchids because I’ve
“I got an instant response that said it was found the book in the Indiana Room. always really liked flowers, since I was a kid,
a green fringed orchid and I was like ‘what? “Then I realized I had these other unique and I didn’t know that Indiana has native
We’re in Indiana, we have orchids?’” Young flowers that were blooming on my property orchids,” she said.
said as she recalled what sparked her fascina- that were also orchids,” Young said. She ex- Young has found 10 types of orchids on
tion with the flowers. plained that in the book there are 43 sections her property, most of which are in an 8-acre
BOOMERS | fall 2021 17patch behind her house that includes a
large pond. The orchids seem to like the
moisture from the pond, but Young said
they’re “persnickety” because they come
up some years and not others. They’re very
particular about the environments they
will grow in, so if you find some, Young
said you should leave them alone and don’t
try to replant them somewhere else or pick
them. They likely won’t grow anywhere
else and they need to stay in that area to
keep seeding and growing where they
thrive.
Unfortunately, deer also like to appreci-
ate the orchids by eating them. If you want
to protect some orchids on your property,
Young said you can put cages around them
to keep the deer away. She has even heard
of the DNR putting cages around rare
orchids in some places to help them keep
growing and prevent them from becoming
wildlife snacks.
One place where humans and deer alike
can find a variety of orchids is Brown
County State Park.
“You can find a lot of them in Brown
County Park. A lot of those grow in Brown
County Park, the lady slipper type orchids,
and you can always ask one of the park
rangers cause most of them know which
trails they can be found on and what time
of the year they bloom,” Young said.
Recently, Young got an email from
Homoya telling her that since he retired he
has a bucket list of things he wants to do
this year and one of the things on the list
is to see all the orchids in Indiana when
they’re in bloom with his wife and son. He
asked Young if the green-fringed orchid
was blooming on her property because
they’re somewhat rare and he knew she
had them. She enthusiastically invited Ho-
moya to what she calls “orchid heaven.”
“So they came to my house, and so, they
were able to see in real-time the green-
fringed orchid blooming. We had to delay
it about a week cause they were kind of be-
hind this year cause of the weather,” Young
said, laughing as she added that she asked
him to sign her copy of his book while he
Debra Young holds a copy of the Outdoor Indiana magazine which contains a story was there. “He put me on the road to this
about the orchids she identified. whole adventure.”
18 BOOMERS | fall 2021Green fringed
orchid
Michael Homoya, author of “Orchids of Indiana,”
stands with Deborah Young at her home in Columbus.
Submitted photo
Homoya interviewed Young for a feature Certified Advanced Bronze Level Master
story about orchids in Outdoor Indiana, Gardener, it’s safe to say Young has found Orchids found on Young’s
the DNR’s magazine, for the 2019 May/June her passion in plants. property
issue. Young was a bigger part of the story Some of her favorite memories of the
Orchids found on Young’s property, to date:
than she anticipated and she discussed her Master Gardener program are working with
introduction to native Indiana orchids and local youth to help grow their gardening Green fringed
the purple fringeless orchid, her favorite abilities and confidence. Purple fringeless
“because it’s purple, it’s really colorful and Young recalls one experience that was Nodding ladies’ tresses
bright.” especially rewarding in which a young boy Oval ladies’ tresses
When she’s not admiring the native flora was feeling disheartened at his weed-pull-
Slender ladies’ tresses
in her backyard, Young spends her time ing skills and insisted he just wasn’t good
doing volunteer work. As a member of the at it. Young was able to encourage him and Crane-fly
Indiana Forestry and Woodland Owners build up his self-esteem. By the end of the Puttyroot
Association, the Columbus Chamber of day, the boy had changed his tune and was Rattlesnake
Commerce, the Indiana Native Plant Soci- excited about his accomplishments. Spring ladies’ tresses
ety and the Friends of Brown County State “I just really enjoy working with kids and
Park, as well as a Bartholomew County gardening,” she said. Yellow ladies’ tresses
BOOMERS | fall 2021 19We salute
the fallen FREEDOM
PLAZA
Cremation Garden
Memorial contains
Steel beam from WTC 1
Soil from the crash site
of FLIGHT 93
Limestone used at the
PENTAGON
WHY PREPLAN?
• Locks in today's prices and
never pay more
• Ensures you get what you want
• Relieve your family from the
financial burden
• Protected from Medicaid
• Lowest pricing guaranteed
G.H. Herrmann
S I N C E 1 9 2 6
www.ghherrmann.com Ask for any Cemetery
Counselor for information
thegardens@ghherrmann.com
317.787.7211
Funeral Homes
1605 S. S.R. 135, Greenwood
IN-35074921
The only family owned funeral home and cemetery remaining on the Southside!You can also read
