This week Indiana lost a true pioneer. State Representative Phyllis Pond passed away Sunday September 22 after being diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. Rep. Pond was elected to the state legislature in 1978 and was the longest serving female state representative in the history of Indiana. She was also the first female lawmaker to earn a seat in the front row in the House Chamber, which is reserved for House leaders with the most seniority.

Before being elected to the legislature, Rep. Pond was a kindergarten teacher. She used her experience in the classroom through her years of service in the legislature where she authored the Primetime Education Bill which capped kindergarten through third grade classroom sizes at 18.  She was always looking for new ways to improve her district and the state of Indiana.

It was an honor to serve with Phyllis, who has accomplished so much.  Her life was spent in service to the State of Indiana and she was a model Stateswoman.  I had the opportunity to sit on committees with Phyllis and she always asked questions to illicit deeper understanding. She provided thoughtful reflection to vet the issue at hand and had the perfect mixture of quick wit, plenty of spunk and a touch of feistiness.   Phyllis was a shining example of kindness, selflessness, and firmness when necessary. Any aspiring leader would do well to emulate her service in office.

Rep. Pond served as a friend and mentor to female legislators. Of all the things she taught us, one stands out. Always listen more than you talk. This very simple message went a long way for many of us, especially our first few years serving our constituents.

I look forward to honoring Rep. Pond on Organization Day, November 19 in the House Chamber. Her name will be added to the “In Memory Of” plaque that is displayed in the House Chamber that lists legislators who have died while serving the citizens of Indiana in the House of Representatives.

Rep. Pond has left a lasting legacy. As we remember her in the weeks to come, each person who knew her will recall her unwavering commitment to the community she served. We will carry on this legacy and I will always remember this pioneer for Indiana.

  The Brown Bag Performance Series is a free program offered to the community by the Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana. The series runs from October through April at the Arts Council’s BSF Gallery, located at 318 Main Street in downtown Evansville. The Brown Bag Performance Series is every Wednesday at noon. It is encouraged to bring your lunch and a friend and enjoy the free local performances. Below is the weekly schedule for October.

10/2/13 – Eulalie Wilson and Mark Hatfield: Kicking off the Brown Bag Series are two accomplished keyboard artists in the Evansville community. They will be performing a series of ragtime piano duets.

10/9/13 – Eykamp String Quartet: Dedicated to bringing the accessibility of chamber music to all audiences, the members of ESQ have performed regularly on the international stage as well as the most intimate settings. Passionate about performing the works of living composers as well as the 20^th century masters, the members of the ESQ have commissioned and performed many works by composers including David Dzubay, Don Freund, Eugene O’Brien, Gabriela Ortiz, Augusta Read Thomas, and Pierre Boulez. The members of ESQ include Jessica Tong, Violin I, Alicia Choi, Violin II, Rose Wollman, Viola, and Schuyler Slack, Cello.

10/16/13 – Shadetree Players: A Brown Bag Series favorite, the Shadetree Players are a group of talented musicians who enjoy the preservation and playing of mountain, gospel, and folk music. The instruments played include the washtub base, dulcimer, washboard, ukulele, jaw harp, mandolin, guitar, and many more!

10/23/13 – Newburgh Dance Academy/Sean Holleran: Enjoy two performances on the 23^rd, starting with the Newburgh Academy of Dance. Excerpts from Ballet Carnival of the Animals, Sleep Beauty and Broadway Baby will be performed. The second performance will be from Sean Holleran, talented local musician who will perform an array of selections on piano.

10/30/13 – Douglas Reed: A distinguished performer, teacher, church musician, and recording artist. He has performed widely in the United States, Europe, and the Far East. The success of his students and his devotion to the art of teaching are acknowledged throughout the organ performance and sacred music fields. Join us a Douglas Reed rounds out the month of October for the Brown Bag Series.

               Marietta Morgan, EVSC data specialist, has been named the recipient of the October Cause for Applause employee recognition award.

Earlier this school year a bus driver had inquired as to if the corporation had any Spanish materials she could use to better communicate with the Hispanic students that ride her bus. Director of Professional Development for Classified Staff Heather Wilson, went to Marietta and asked her for input as Marietta, whose native language is Spanish, works with the English Learner services in the schools.

Marietta created and led a Spanish class for bus drivers that taught them the basics of the language and provided the English to Spanish translation of words and phrases they might use in their position. As the teacher of the classes, Marietta was able to touch on the Spanish culture and some of the differences between the countries who speak Spanish. According to Wilson, who nominated her for the award, Marietta was “warm, open and made the class feel at ease.”

Wilson also commented that teaching Spanish classes to bus drivers is definitely not in Marietta’s job responsibilities, but she volunteered because she knew it would make an impact on our students and employees.

Anyone can nominate an employee of the EVSC for the award. Deadline for nominations is the third Friday of each month. Go to http://www.evscschools.com/community/nominate-evsc-employees-exemplary-work for the nomination form. Paper forms are available at the schools for those without access to the Internet.

 October – The Month of Pink