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The man behind the (bee) mask: Taking care of the Indiana State Museum bee hives

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Did you know about one-third of the food you ate this week likely is dependent on pollinators (bees, insects, birds and bats) to grow? This week is National Pollinator Week, and your chance to learn about the little creatures that have a big impact on your life.

The Indiana State Museum has two bee hives, both of which are cared for by Brian Benson, the museum’s facility engineering manager and (informally known as) chief beekeeper. To care for both bee hives, Brian monitors their health, taking corrective action when needed, makes sure they are able to make honey and beeswax, and harvests the honey when appropriate.

He also engages the community in conversations about bees, and set up a live video feed for people to dive inside the museum’s hives without ever having to put on a bee suit. Here, watch bees buzz into and out of their hive entrances, and see inside the hive as bees go about their daily work of making honey. See these live video feeds here, and read a Q&A with Brian below to get to know the man behind the bee mask.

What sparked your interest in bees?
“My interest in bees began when I noticed a swarm of bees land on a tree in front of my home about eight years ago. I thought it was Attack of the Killer Bees and had the kids stay inside! After doing some research, I learned that these bees were homeless and not aggressive – an hour later, they flew off.

“When the museum decided to host a bee hive about four years ago, I offered to help get it set up. This was my opportunity to learn about being a beekeeper.”

Why is it important that the Indiana State Museum is the home of bee hives?

Brian chats with Indiana State Museum summer campers about bees.Brian chats with Indiana State Museum summer campers about bees.

“Bees are incredibly important to native habitats. In their location on the balcony above the Watanabe Family Gardens, they help sustain a native Indiana wildflower garden. By spreading the word about people about how bees help sustain native habitats, the Indiana State Museum is able to be an active participant in preserving the present environment while protecting its future.”

What are you doing for National Pollinator Week?
“I’ll be chatting with our summer campers telling them all about bees and answering their questions.

“I’ll also spend some extra time doing a health check on our two bee hives. One of them recently got a new queen, and I’ll make sure she gets off to a good start. I’ll continue providing some extra food for the other hive to help it continue building up its population.”

What is your favorite thing about being the museum’s beekeeper?
“Any time I have the opportunity to be involved with something at the museum, that is exciting to me. To be able to help with something I also enjoy as a hobby – that’s even better.”

What is your favorite thing about bees?
“Everything a bee does is for the survival of the hive. Every bee has a job, and some even graduate to new jobs when they get older. How the bees just know that and communicate with each other is fascinating.”

What is the biggest challenge when it comes to taking care of bees?

Brian shows summer campers a frame of live bees from the museum hive using a special observation box.Brian shows summer campers a frame of live bees from the museum hive using a special observation box.

“Bees often throw you curve balls, and it’s challenging making quick decisions when they do. The biggest challenge is making sure they are ready to survive the winter with enough food (honey) stored up, and enough bees to keep each other and the queen warm.”

The Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites also has bee hives at two state historic sites, Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site and Angel Mounds State Historic Site. Bees are all around us helping our food grow and preserving our native habitats. Next time you see a bee, insect, bird or bat, don’t forget to say, “Thanks!”

2019 SHRINERSFEST FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

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2019 ShrinersFest Schedule of Events

Obituary for Lee Willard Moody

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Lee Willard Moody was born November 14, 1946 to the late Orgetorix and Corena Moody in Providence, Kentucky. Lee’s educational journey began in the Rosenwald School System in Providence. After his family moved to Missouri, Lee attended and graduated from Parkway Central High School in Chesterfield, Missouri. He furthered his education and studied Speech Pathology, Oral Reading and Theater at Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri. It was there that he joined the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and became a proud “Omega Man” who truly believed the Greek phrase “friendship is essential to the soul”.

Lee worked for many years as a Speech Specialist in the Northeast Metro 916 Intermediate School District located in White Bear Lake, Minnesota. In June 2006, he retired with more than 20 years of devoted service. Lee was an avid sports fan who loved watching his favorite NFL team, the Minnesota Vikings.
In 2010, Lee and his mother returned to Providence after many years of living in Missouri. Lee was a caring and devoted son who spent his later years providing excellent care for his mother until her death.
Lee’s life will be forever remembered and his memory greatly cherished by his best friend and companion: Shannon Starks; and her children: DeNaleigh and Jarvis. He also leaves to cherish his memory a host of cousins and friends.
Services will be Saturday, June 22, 2019 at 1:00 p.m. at Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church. Visitation will be noon until service time. Burial is at Cumberland Hill Cemetery. Condolences may be left at www.masonbrothersfs.com.

 

EPD REPORT

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EPD REPORT

Otters, Wild Things rubber match suspended by rain

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Rain suspended play Thursday between the Evansville Otters and the Washington Wild Things in the bottom of the second inning.

The game will resume the weekend of August 9 as part of the road series back to Washington, Pa. for the Otters.

The call to suspend the game came in the bottom of the second inning after Cameron Baranek hit an RBI single, scoring Hector Roa with one out, and giving Washington a 1-0 lead.

Washington’s John Havird retired the Otters in order in his two innings of work, allowing only one hit, from Evansville’s David Cronin.

Austin Nicely had the start for the Otters and walked Blake Adams in the bottom of the first, and then had Shane Hughes ground into a 4-6-3 double play. Mikael Mogues then struck out to end the inning.

In the bottom of the second, Roa led off with a single, which was the second time the leadoff batter reached base in the game against Nicely. Roa came around to score on the hit by Baranek.

The Otters will travel to Avon, Ohio to take on the Lake Erie Crushers for a three-game series this weekend. First pitch on Friday is at 6:05 p.m.

 

Vanderburgh County Recent Booking Records

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https://www.vanderburghsheriff.com/jail-recent-booking-records.aspx

“IS IT TRUE” JUNE 21, 2019

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We hope that today’s “IS IT TRUE” will provoke honest and open dialogue concerning issues that we, as responsible citizens of this community, need to address in a rational and responsible way.

IS IT TRUE the article that we posted the other day about members of the Teamsters local 215 went on strike against a regional concrete company went viral? …that this article was posted on the International Union Facebook page?  …we are overwhelmed on how many page reviews was generated from this article?

IS IT TRUE about seven (7) years ago the City-County Observer had a disagreement with the Evansville Mayors media director concerning an embargo news issue?  …ever since that disagreement we have only received  very few news articles from the Mayor’s office?  …next week we will be requesting that the Mayors newly appointed Communications Officer send us future news releases?  …we are declaring that pursuant to the Indiana Access to Public Records Act and the Indiana Open Door Law, the City-County Observer has the right to receive future media releases from that office?

IS IT TRUE that we have just been informed that all future emergency boil orders or news releases generated by the Evansville Water and Sewer Utility Department will be sent to the City County Observer?  …we also have requested that they send us copies of their meeting agendas and officially approved meeting minutes pursuant to the Indiana Access to Public Records Act and the Indiana Open Door Law?

IS IT TRUE we hope that in the future our elected officials will not vote on any ordinances (unless its an emergency) thats not listed on their official agenda because it doesn’t allow public input? …when they vote on non-agenda items its not “transparent” but also  isn’t representative of “good public policy” practices?

IS IT TRUE that the CCO wasn’t invited to the recent Ellis Park ‘Annual Media Day’ event?  …we wish we could say that this was an oversight?

IS IT TRUE we are hearing that the owners of Ellis Park Entertainment, LLC (a subsidiary of Laguna Development Corporation (LDC) based in Albuquerque, New Mexico) are going to lease or purchase around 990 “Historical Horse Racing” machines in the near future? …that Ellis Park currently has around 180 “Historical Horse Racing” machines?

IS IT TRUE we hope that the new owners of Ellis Park will show their patrons how to use the additional option of betting on past horse races from tracks all over America? …this feature is available on every “Historical Horse Racing” machine in the State Of Kentucky but  is rarely used ?  … when you visit a Casino located in the State of Kentucky and play their “Historical Horse Racing” machines please ask their staff members to explain how can you bet on past horse races on their gaming machines?

IS IT TRUE it’s been reported that the new owners  of Ellis Park are currently spending around $3 million on upgrading the existing facility? …so far we are extremely impressed with their progress? …we hope that they be installing a new state of the art digital sign located next to the highway, replace the out-dated tote board, improved the exterior security lighting, and repaving and striping the parking area are part of the current renovation plans?

IS IT TRUE we are pleased to learn that the new owners of Ellis Park future projection are to build a new hotel on site? …in 2020 they are planning to construct a new free standing building to house over 1200 “Historical Horse Racing” machines? …many people feel that the new owners of Ellis Park must do these things in oder to compete against the soon to be installed “Sports Book”  facility at Tropicana-Evansville?  …we are confident that Ellis Park Entertainment, LLC (a subsidiary of Laguna Development Corporation (LDC) based in Albuquerque will be able to complete these tasks?

IS IT TRUE during the last several weeks Ellis Park have hired extra security during the late evening time? …that the law enforcement officers from the Henderson Police Department have been very effective in discouraging the less than credible patrons from coming into the Casino? …we give five (5) cheers to the new owners of Ellis Park for making this much needed move?

IS IT TRUE we hope that the Southwest Indiana Chamber Downtown Alliance and the Mayors proposal to transform the downtown Business District will be something the community will be proud of?

IS IT TRUE that over the years the City-County Observer has studied and published articles that examine the economic expectations and realities of proposed capital projects within the Evansville City limits? …that our conclusions thus far are that a lack of planning has created an unavoidable last minute quagmire that leaves the City of Evansville in the unenviable position of needing to provide significant incentives to secure a binding and enforceable agreement to entice a developer to build profitable projects?

IS IT TRUE that the hacking of your Social Security numbers, especially when combined with other exposed data such as driver’s license numbers, birth dates and home addresses, can allow identity thieves to impersonate you. You can apply for loans, housing, utilities and even government benefits in your name. Or, more likely, you can sell this data on the open market to those who will use it for those purposes and perhaps for other crimes you  can’t imagine?   …Its time for you to contact your financial advisors to insure that they will immediately begin to you protect your identity and hard earned money?

IS IT TRUE if any City Council candidate would like for us to do a “IS IT TRUE” concerning their campaign events please contract us at City-County Observer@live.Com?

Todays “Readers Poll’ question is: Do you feel that Ellis Park is ready to compete with Tropicana-Evansville since they sold to new investors?

If you would like to advertise in the CCO please contact us at City-County Observer@live.com

Footnote: City-County Observer Comment Policy. Be kind to people. Personal attacks or harassment will not be tolerated and shall be removed from our site.

We understand that sometimes people don’t always agree and discussions may become a little heated.  The use of offensive language and insults against commenters shall not be tolerated and will be removed from our site.

Any comments posted in this column do not represent the views or opinions of the City-County Observer or our advertisers.

 

City Council Meeting June 24, 2019

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City Council Meeting On JUNE 24, 2019
1 NW MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. BLVD. ROOM 301 at 5:30 P.M.
 

AGENDA

I. INTRODUCTION

 

Agenda Attachment:
II. APPROVAL OF MEETING MEMORANDUM

 

Memo Attachment:
III. REPORTS AND COMMUNICATIONS

 

IV. SPECIAL ORDERS OF THE DAY

 

V. CONSENT AGENDA:  FIRST READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

 

A. ORDINANCE G-2019-09 An Ordinance to Amend and Restate Chapter 13.20 Wastewater Discharge Regulations Sponsor(s): Elpers, Brinkmeyer Discussion Led By: Chair Adams Discussion Date: 7/8/2019
G-2019-09 Attachment:
B. ORDINANCE R-2019-14 An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 1019 Washington Ave Petitioner: Jose Nunez Owner: Invenez Unlimited LLC. Requested Change: R2 & C4 to R2 Ward: 4 Robinson Representative: Jose Nunez, Invenez Unlimited LLC.
R-2019-14 Attachment:
C. ORDINANCE R-2019-15 Amended An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 313 S New York Ave Petitioner: Harvey Baker & Shirley Baker Owner: Harvey Baker & Shirley Baker Requested Change: R4 to C4 Ward: 4 Robinson Representative: Tanisha Carothers, Carothers Law
R-2019-15 Amended Attachment:
VI. COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

VII. REGULAR AGENDA:  SECOND READING OF ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS

 

A. ORDINANCE G-2019-08 An Ordinance Amending Title 18 of the Evansville Municipal Code Concerning Lane Use and Zoning Sponsor(s): Chair Adams Discussion Led By: Public Works Chair Adams Discussion Date: 6/24/2019
G-2019-08 Attachment:
B. ORDINANCE F-2019-11 An Ordinance of the Common Council of the City of Evansville Authorizing Transfers of Appropriations, Additional Appropriations and Repeal and Re-Appropriation of Funds for Various City Funds Sponsor(s): Weaver Discussion Led By: Finance Chair Weaver Discussion Date: 6/24/2019
F-2019-11 Attachment:
C. ORDINANCE R-2019-08 An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as N. Burkhardt Road – NW Corner of the Intersection Petitioner: Eric Carter Owner: Robert & Angela Shockman Requested Change: R1 to C4 Ward: 1 McGinn Representative: Eric Carter, Weihe Engineers, Inc.
R-2019-08 Attachment:
D. ORDINANCE R-2019-10 Amended An Ordinance to Rezone Certain Real Estate in the City of Evansville, State of Indiana, More Commonly Known as 2100 Lodge Avenue Petitioner: Allied Investment and Development Owner: Restored Properties, LLC Requested Change: C1 to C4 Ward: 4 Robinson Representative: Matt Malcolm, KDDK
R-2019-10 Amended Attachment:
VIII. RESOLUTION DOCKET

 

IX. MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS

 

A. THE NEXT MEETING of the Common Council will be Monday, July 8, 2019 at 5:30 p.m.
B. ADDITIONAL MISCELLANEOUS BUSINESS
X. COMMITTEE REPORTS

 

XI. ADJOURNMENT

Lawsuit: School’s Transgender Policy Violated Teacher’s Religious Beliefs

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Marilyn Odendahl for www.theindianalawyer.com

A Brownsburg music teacher who claims he lost his job because he refused to address transgender students by the first names of their choice has filed a federal lawsuit against the Brownsburg Community School Corporation for violating his First Amendment religious freedom and free speech rights.

John Kluge was hired as a music and orchestra teacher by the school corporation in August 2014. He says he met all the school’s performance expectations and received positive evaluations but was wrongly terminated in May 2018 after he refused to go against his sincerely held religious beliefs and abide by the school’s transgender policy.

The lawsuit, filed Wednesday on Kluge’s behalf by the Indiana Family Institute, claims the school corporation violated Kluge’s free exercise of religion and freedom of speech under the First Amendment as well as his right to due process and equal protection under the 14th Amendment.

In addition, the lawsuit asserts Kluge’s right to free exercise of religion under the Indiana Constitution was also violated.

“Defendants’ transgender policies and related practices do not serve any government interests of sufficient magnitude to override Kluge’s right to live according to the dictates of his faith and according to his own conscience,” the complaint states.

Kluge is seeking an injunction prohibiting Brownsburg schools from enforcing the policies and practices that violate employees’ religious beliefs. He is also asking for back pay and the value of benefits along with compensatory and punitive damages.

According to the 25-page complaint, BCSC changed its policy in early 2017, allowing transgender students to use the bathroom of their choice while teachers were instructed to use the transgender students’ preferred names.

Kluge describes himself as a “professing evangelical Christian” who strives to live daily by his faith. He believes God created mankind as either male or female and that gender is fixed from the moment of conception and cannot be changed regardless of an individual’s feelings or desires.

The complaint states BCSC superintendent James Snapp told Kluge to use the transgender names or lose his job. Kluge was then accused of misconduct and suspended.

In July of 2017, Kluge reached an agreement with Snapp where his religious beliefs would be accommodated by allowing him to address all the students by their last names only. However, at the end of 2017, the school principal, Bret Daghe, told Kluge he should resign because the accommodation was creating tension. In February 2018, the religious accommodation was withdrawn, the lawsuit says, because the school claimed the students were offended at the use of last names.

Kluge explained to the school that he believes “encouraging students to present themselves as the opposite sex by calling them an opposite-sex first name is sinful.” In the complaint, he asserts the school corporation could not identify any undue hardship caused by the accommodation but “simply desired to promote and accommodate transgender beliefs over sincerely-held religious beliefs.”

After submitting his resignation at the end of April 2018, Kluge tried to rescind it but the school ignored the rescission and accepted the resignation. Immediately, Kluge was locked out of the school buildings and the school’s intranet, and his job was posted as vacant.

“The Defendants’ removal of the successful ‘last-names only’ accommodation based on the complaints of students — who suspected he was using last names to avoid transgender names, and wanted Kluge to capitulate — does not amount to undue hardship, but is an impermissible ‘heckler’s veto,’” the complaint states.

The lawsuit, John M. Kluge v. Brownsburg Community School Corporation, et al., 1:19-cv-2462, was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana.

Indianapolis attorneys Michael Cork, Roscoe Stovall, Jr., and Kevin Green are representing Kluge. Brownsburg schools have not yet replied to the suit.

Commentary: The Circle, Still Unbroken

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Commentary: The Circle, Still Unbroken

June 20, 2019  

By John Krull
TheStatehouseFile.com 

JEFFERSONVILLE, Indiana – We sway in a large circle, arms draped over each other’s shoulders, bride and groom among us, as the music blares.

Some sing along:

John Krull, publisher, TheStatehouseFile.com

Closing time
Time for you to go out to the places you will be from
Closing time
This room won’t be open ’til your brothers or you sisters come
So gather up your jackets, and move it to the exits
I hope you have found a friend
Closing time
Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end

We’re winding down a wedding reception. We’ve gathered to celebrate the union of Abbey and Richard.

Richard is a former student of mine, now a dear friend. Abbey is a wonderful young woman of both grace and grit, his heart’s partner.

Richard is a member of a tight group, most of whom are in the wedding party. He often was the glue in a tribe that always has loved and squabbled with equal fervor. Richard always made the best peace. He has a rare gift for reading moments and people. He knows, intuitively, how to break tension with either goofiness or grace and restore good feeling.

His friends long have wanted him to pair with a mate who has a heart as large as his own. He found her in Abbey. That is why they have embraced her.

A little while ago, the maid of honor and best man made their toasts.

Abbey is the oldest child in her family. Her mother died a few years back. Abbey’s maid of honor is her sister, who spoke about the calm and strength Abbey projected during their time of loss.

Dan, another former student of mine and a classmate of Richard’s, is the best man. Dan talks about a time when he experienced immense tragedy. Richard, he says, drove to the newspaper where Dan worked and asked the editor to give him Dan’s assignments so Dan could spend more time with his family.

As best man and maid of honor speak, people dab at their eyes and stifle cries, grateful that two such fine people walk among us.

A hundred miles north of here, another former student of mine – a decade younger than this crew – also is getting married. Several friends and colleagues are there. And further away still, a current student and another friend and colleague attend the Emmy Awards dinner in northern Ohio, where they wait to find out if a documentary a dozen of my students worked on will win.

We trade reports back and forth from each site, tracking how various members of this extended tribe are doing.

Here, Evan – another of my former students – finds a live stream of the Emmy celebration on his phone. He monitors it while those gathered here wander to watch and see how things are going. They’re rooting for these students who were in elementary school when they were in college as if they themselves were the ones in competition.

Like they were pulling for a younger brother or sister.

Then we’re swaying in the circle, locked in one large, moving hug.

Closing time.

We fade into the night.

Morning comes.

Before we all begin to make our ways back home, my wife and I stop by the hotel room where Evan and his wife, Liz, are staying with their two-month-old son, Will. Will is a strapping lad, a heartbreaker with so curious a disposition that he reaches out for everything around him.

Evan and Liz are kind enough to let me hold him.

I cradle Will in my arms and listen to him burble as he tries to fit his thumb in his mouth and struggles to grasp his blanket or my sleeve.

I can’t stop smiling, thinking that this little boy soon will discover how fortunate he is. He was born to parents who love him and love each other – and who have provided him with a small army of adopted aunts and uncles who will do anything for him.

Then I think about the circle, the one in which we all swayed together and the one that circle is part of.

How far the circle reaches.

How strong its bonds.

FOOTNOTE: John Krull is director of Franklin College’s Pulliam School of Journalism and publisher of TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.

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