Expansive garden hosts musical fundraiser

By Sara Gentry

Last year, Karen Cochran and Vic Hasler’s three-acre garden hosted a fundraiser for Indiana University Cancer Research. This year, the proceeds raised from those touring the gardens will benefit the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra’s Learning Community. [caption id="attachment_3251" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="The Heck-Hasler property does not have walkways, but there is a natural flow throughout the gardens. - Submitted photo"][/caption] When Cochran and Hasler purchased the property 14 years ago, the land surrounding the historic house (built in 1868) was pretty bare. “Karen says the garden had some pine trees, some spruce trees and some dead trees. And that was about it,” said Judy Robertson, ISO Women’s Committee board member and event organizer. These days, guests can admire conifers, sun-loving flowers, hosta gardens and all sorts of perennials and types of trees. Also adorning the gardens are pieces of architectural salvage and fine art. There are no walking paths, but there is a natural flow to the layout. “The grounds are absolutely beautiful,” said Robertson. “I don’t know how they do it by themselves.” An additional attraction to Saturday’s garden tour is the Honey Creek ensemble, who will play two 45-minute sets. Refreshments will include cookies, [caption id="attachment_3253" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="The house itself was built in 1868. - Submitted Photo"][/caption]tea and water. The ISO Learning Community is the orchestra’s educational division. Donated funds support educational programs that reach as many as 80,000 Hoosier children. Popular programs include the instrument Petting Zoo, in which musicians visit school functions with instruments in tow for children to examine; Discovery Concerts, where children visit the Hilbert Circle Theatre; the Foreign Language Club, which offers bilingual students a chance to hear music from their home country and includes a tour of the theater conducted in that language; and Coffee Concerts, which feature an informational segment on the composer or movement. The Young Musicians contest gives $2,000 to the instrumentalist who performs the best memorized concerto; the child also has the opportunity to play with the [caption id="attachment_3255" align="alignleft" width="225" caption="Vic Hasler (left) and Karen Cochran (center) do all the gardening themselves. - Submitted photo"][/caption]ISO at Symphony on the Prairie. Entrants must be no older than high-school age. “We’ve had 11-year-olds make it to the finals before,” said Sarah Stoel, also on the Women’s Committee. “It’s kind of amazing.”

Head of the Class of 2009

By Submission For The Southside Times

Southside military news

By Submission For The Southside Times

Nicholas S. Harrington has been promoted to the rank of Senior Airman in the U.S. Air Force. The airman, a fire protection journeyman with two years of military service, 437th Airlift Wing, Charleston Air Force Base, S.C. He is the son of Don Harrington of Legacy Drive, Greenwood, Ind., and the stepson of Paul Lambert of Blue Grass Drive, Indianapolis, Ind. Harrington is a 2002 graduate of North Central High School. Air Force Airman Jeremy D. Vaughn graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force. He is the son of Cathy Jarrett of West Epler Ave., Indianapolis. The airman graduated in the year 2000 from Perry Meridian High School. Air Force Airman Scott S. Hester graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force. Hester is the son of Timothy Hester of Holliday Drive, and Martin Jill of Nelson Ave., both of Indianapolis. The airman is a 2007 graduate of Carmel High School. Air Force Airman Alyssa M. McKee graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. The airman completed an intensive, eight-week program that included training in military discipline and studies, Air Force core values, physical fitness, and basic warfare principles and skills. Airmen who complete basic training earn four credits toward an associate in applied science degree through the Community College of the Air Force. She is the daughter of Allyson Sweeney of Ridge Top Drive, Greenwood, and granddaughter of Grace and Larry Poulin of Liberty St., Ellsworth, Maine. Mckee is a 2007 graduate of Greenwood Community High School. Army National Guard Spec. Aaron J. Calvert is returning to the U.S. after a deployment to the Iraqi Theater of Operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Operation Iraqi Freedom is the official name given to military operations involving members of the U.S. armed forces participating in efforts to free and secure Iraq. The specialist, a military police with three years of military service, is assigned to the 38th Military Police Company, based in Danville, Ind. He is the son of Devin and Maria Calvert of Jordan Road, Indianapolis.

Obituaries for the week of 05.28.09

By Submission For The Southside Times

Carl Benjamin Ditchley, Sr., 77, died May 20. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, E. Marie Ditchley, and 10 children, Carl B. “Corky” Ditchley, Jr., Victoria Ditchley, Diana Rhude, David Ditchley, William Ditchley, Carol Gulley, Karen Sleeth, Kathie Johnson, Carrie Phelps, Garry Ditchley, also by 24 grandchildren, and 22 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his son, John Christopher Ditchley. He requested no public viewing. Vivian E. Hobdy, 84, of Indianapolis, died May 19. She was the daughter of the late Nevious and Ina Wade of Lincoln County, Ky. She is preceded in death by her husband Clarence Hobdy; brothers, Henry Wade, Donald Wade and Ronald Wade; sisters, Myrtle B. Hazelwood, Verna M. Sutt, Mary Ruth Hobdy and Dorothy Geraldine Bailey. She is survived by her two children, Charles “Mike” Hobdy (Becky) and Beverly Ann Hobdy, grandson Matthew T. Hobdy and sister Martha R. Jenkins. Services were held on May 22 at Little and Sons Funeral Home Beech Grove Chapel. Phyllis “Jean” Windle Koch, 83, of Indianapolis, died May 20. Her husband, Joseph S. Koch, preceded her in death. Survivors include her children, Steven (Phyllis) Koch, Andrea (Andy) Gravelie, Jane Thomas, and Stephanie (Chuck) Morrow; nine grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. She was laid to rest in St. Joseph Cemetery on May 26.

At Play Calendar for the week of

By Submission For The Southside Times

Concerts on the Canal • The American College of Sports Medicine presents “Concerts on the Canal,” where you can come and enjoy music every Thursday night for a good portion of the summer. | When: Every Thursday now until June 25. Show times vary. | Where: The American College of Sports Medicine | Cost: Free; reserved seating $30 for table of 4; $40 for table of 8 | Info: Call 232-1882. Between Guitar and Flute with the Noteworthy Duo • Please enjoy the sweet sounds of Lisa Schroeder and Michael Nigro as they perfectly harmonize their flute and guitar. | When: May 30 at 2 p.m. | Where: The Central Library | Cost: Free | Info: Call 275-4100. Russian Nights • Carlo Rizzi, Music Director of the Welsh National Opera, will join the stage with the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir for a once in a lifetime performance of Borodin, Prokofiev and Tchaikovsky. | When: May 29 at 8 p.m. and May 30 at 5:30 p.m. | Where: The Indianapolis Symphonic Choir | Cost: $16 - $55 | Info: Call 368-4300. The Porter-Griffin Papers • The papers hold the key to studying American political and social history and this collection will prove just that. It includes business records, political correspondence and other legal and personal papers of the Porter family daughters and their descendants from 1845-1940. | When: May 28 from 9 – 10 a.m. | Where: The Indiana State Library | Cost: Free | Info: Call 232-3675. [ad#single-post] Fireside Chats with Hoosier History Live • Adults are invited to lounge around the fireplace and listen to the “Hoosier History Live” broadcast with Nelson Price. | When: May 30 at 11:30 p.m. | Where: The Central Library | Cost: Free | Info: Call 275-4100. Book Discussion • Adults are invited to partake in this month’s book discussion, “The Reader” written by Bernard Schlink. In this novel, you follow the life of Michael Berg, who after serving in World War II, realizes that the woman who found him, nursed him back to health and later would become his lover, was really illiterate and a possible Nazi war criminal. | When: June 2 at 6 p.m. | Where: The Indianapolis Marion County Public Library | Cost: Free | Info: Call 275-4100. VBS • Risen Lord Lutheran Church is now enrolling for it’s “Discovery Canyon: Explore the Wonders of the Word!” Vacation Bible School for kids in preschool - sixth grade. | When: Enrollment is now underway. VBS will run July 19 - 23 | Where: Risen Lord Lutheran Church | Cost: Free | Info: Call 535-6727. A Spiritual Praise Marathon • The Indianapolis based “For God So Loved the World Ministries” will be holding at 12 hour long “Spiritual Praise Marathon” to raise money for the homeless. There will be games, the play “Forreal,” a ballroom fellowship and a string of performers including Krash Krew, Rodnie Bryant and the McCrackin Sisters. | When: May 30 beginning at 12 p.m. | Where: Madame Walker Theatre Center | Cost: $25 donation in advance and $30 at the door | Info: Call 359-1294. Indy Indians • The Indianapolis Indians will try their hand at bat against the Pawtucket Red Sox in a glove to glove battle. | When: May 29, 30, June 1. Start times varies.| Where: Victory Field | Cost: $8 - $13 | Info: Call 269-3545. Southside Swimming Tsunami • Kids only have to be able to swim 25 yards to qualify for this south side swim team. | When: Starting June 1 | Where: Perry Meridian High School | Info: Call Heze Clark at 831-2124. FringeFriday • FringeFriday happens on the last Friday of each month and features special performances by current and past IndyFrienge actors, skits, live music and so much more. | When: May 29 at 5:30 p.m. | Where: The IndyFringe Festival | Cost: Free | Info: Log on www.indyfringe.com. Summer Tea • Enjoy some new company as you sip your afternoon tea, munch of scones and other petite desserts every Tuesday at the Propylaeum. | When: Every Tuesday starting June 2 from 3 – 5 p.m. | Where: The Propylaeum | Cost: $14.95 adults, $9.95 children | Info: Reservations can be made by calling 638-7881. PTDC • The Perry Township Democrat Club will be hosting their next meeting with the focus on “Adopt a Ward” and to identify the next Precinct Chairman and Vice-Precinct Chairman. | When: May 28; refreshments at 6:30 p.m., meeting at 7 p.m. | Where: Communication Workers Local 4900, 1130 E. Epler Ave. Rite of Spring • David Hochoy has reworked Stravinsky’s once deemed “scandalous” ballet and made his own, focusing on many of the sacrifices that Americans are forced to make in today’s world. | When: June 4 – 7. Show times vary. | Where: Dance Kaleidoscope | Info: Call 635-5252. Rupert’s Kids Hog Roast and Motorcycle Ride • The Beech Grove Fraternal Order of Eagles and Rupert Boneham, the bearded competitor from “Survivor Pearl Islands”, will host the 2nd Annual Motorcycle Ride and Hog Roast for Boneham’s Indianapolis children’s charity Rupert’s Kids. | When: June 7, beginning at 8 a.m. | Where: Beech Grove Aerie, 712 Main St. | Info: The event is open to the public. The $20 registration fee per person includes a T-shirt, pin and entry into the Ride and Hog Roast. Registration will begin at 8 a.m. and the ride starts at 10 a.m. At 4 p.m. the hog roast will be served. A silent auction and 50/50 raffle will be held throughout the day.

Top ten thoughts about celebrating my 48th birthday

By Torry Stiles

10. I made it past 47 and I’m not 49 yet. 9. Alexander the Great may have conquered much of the known world by the time he was 33, but he’s dead now, so I guess I still win. 8. I don’t bend, bounce or heal as fast as I used to ... but my cooking skills are greatly improved. 7. The AARP people have my number. 6. I still think golf is stupid, but I’m starting to like the wardrobe. 5. I can get most of my favorite music free from the Internet. I just have to ignore the word “oldies” in the category label. 4. I have just enough of a physique left to claim I can do things and just enough gone to claim I’m not supposed to do them. 3. I have most of the hair on my head and have yet to need my ear hairs trimmed. 2. The things I truly regret doing are overshadowed by all the things I truly regret never doing. 1. More and more often I wake up feeling like it’s the morning after and I don’t even get to have the night before.

You can make a lot of friends when you have fries

By Mike Redmond

The other day, I woke up a human being and went to bed a cyborg, all in the name of good health. As I lay me down to sleep, I readjusted the wires from the heart monitor that had been attached to my torso all day. Then I slipped on the mask connected to the device that keeps my airway open as a measure against sleep apnea. What a picture that must have been: Darth Vader In His Jammies. And it made me wonder why modern medical tests are such a pain in the ... well, actually, that’s one of the few places I didn’t have something hooked up.

“What a picture that must have been: Darth Vader In His Jammies.”

The heart thing goes back a couple of years to an episode when I was standing in a bookstore, felt an unusual “thump” in my chest and fainted. My keen mind, ever attuned to medical matters, instantly concluded that this was probably not the way things are supposed to go. So off I went to the doctor, who sent me directly to the emergency room, which passed me along to the heart center, which gave me a test, which prompted the cardiologist to say, “This is very, very serious.” Believe me, that is not a sentiment you want to hear from a cardiologist. So he shipped me to coronary intensive care, where I was an immediate hit with the nurses mostly because I was the only patient on the floor who was awake and under age 80. Also, since my arteries were clean, I was allowed to order something other than the usual cardiac patient fare (water, air, medicine). I ordered a cheeseburger and fries from Five Guys. Got it, too. You can make a lot of friends if you have fries in a ward where fries are illegal. [ad#single-post] My condition, ventricular tachycardia, causes my heart to jump out of gear and race. I control it through medication, but I have to be tested every so often to see if things are still manageable. Hence the heart monitor. This brings us to the mask. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea as part of trying find out why I was so tired and cranky all the time. Sleep apnea? Silly me. I thought I was just turning into my parents. Anyway, this led to the use of what’s called a CPAP machine, which blows air into my nose all night, allowing me to sleep peacefully. It does not, however, allow conversation, which is why it is a CPAP. It stands for Can’t Pronounce Anything Properly. Add to this the goofy stuff that’s going on with my endocrine system, and you can see that Medical Tests and Procedures have lately occupied a much more prominent place in my life than I prefer. I also seem to have a bunch of doctors who just love to run their patients through the obstacle course. Maybe it’s their way of getting people to take better care of themselves. It’s certainly working with me. I just have to keep reminding myself that everything the doctors are doing is to make my life better. That makes it all a little easier to take, although the tests are still giant pain in the you-know-where. Where, by the way, I had a test about six weeks ago – and which, you’ll pardon the expression, I passed.

Good tanning takes planning

By Kevin Kane

As the thousands who frequented the Speedway over the past weeks can attest, the tanning season is underway. Though we’re still weeks from the start of summer, a noticeable color change can occur in a matter of hours, and though the sun is not yet at its strongest, these are the days when the foundation for a solid summer tan is to be laid. However, a good tan doesn’t just happen; it takes planning and preparation. Unfortunately, many Hoosiers — like myself — don’t think about this until it’s too late and the damage is done. Our lack of foresight results in awkward tan lines sure to remain for months to come, and this uneven skin tone can potentially affect our entire summer. It’s not hard to tell which of your friends and neighbors attended the 500 or any of its preceding practice days. These are the people with rosy red cheeks, raccoon eyes and torsos with tank-top outlines. But while these common elements of the race-fan look make these people easy to spot, they aren’t the only ones sporting an unbalanced hue. There are thousands of ways to achieve unwanted tan lines, and given enough time in the sun, these rough skin tone transitions can go from unsightly to flat-out embarrassing.

“For the rest of the summer, I looked like I was wearing white butler gloves with my shirt on, and, with it off, my forearms looked hairier than Robin Williams’."

High socks, Oakleys, or your favorite watch — these are perhaps some of the most common ways to develop heavy-duty tan lines. Consciously avoiding such items in the sun is a good start towards a nice tan, but it’s not enough. Hoosiers seeking an even bronze this summer have to think of everything ahead of time in order to ensure that any part of their body that might be uncovered in public gets adequate exposure. For example, last year I spent too much time wearing gloves outside. By the time I could no longer kid myself about the growing contrast between my pale white hands and my brown forearms, the aesthetic damage was beyond repair. For the rest of the summer, I looked like I was wearing white butler gloves with my shirt on and, with it off, my forearms looked hairier than Robin Williams’. [ad#single-post] This summer, I avoided that problem but encountered another after I failed to account for my hair being longer than normal. After it was cut last week, the blatant jump from tan to white on my forehead made it easy to see how long my bangs used to be. Many people — like myself — too often fail to consider that the decisions they make in early May could affect what we’re wearing and what we look like come midsummer. You can’t decide in August that you want to start wearing flip flops. By then, your legs might be fairly tan, but your feet still match your socks. Likewise, having a full beard while laying out through May and June is fine — until you decide to shave it for July 4. Poor planning for tanning can’t be reversed after a certain point. You can’t, for example, realistically wear pants for a month while your feet catch up in color just as you can’t get a mini spray tan on your now clean-shaven beard line. Hoosiers who make these mistakes, as I have found out every year, must either alter their looks to match their unpleasant tan lines or go ahead as scheduled, knowing they’ll look ridiculous. But while it may be too late for some of the heavy gardeners or Speedway regulars, the rest of us may still be able to achieve the look we want for this summer — evenly tan all over, no matter what we’re wearing. Now that we’ve had our reminder, though, it should be easy to avoid our common tanning trouble spots and eliminate those unpleasant lines. The only thing left to do now is shave our heads, strip down and soak in the rays.

We’re the Real Women of Johnson County

By Sherri Coner-Eastburn

So, the rust in our water attacked my fake blonde hair color, much like the fat from cream horns attacked my thighs. For the thigh fat, I use long, bulky T shirts. For the orange tint in my tresses, I bought a special potion at a beauty supply store. But soon after applying the gel, I realized I forgot to also buy a shower cap. I tied a plastic bag around my head and clipped it in the front with a clothes pin. It was tied so tight that excess skin wrinkled in little creases around the clothes pin in a not-so-lovely kind of way. That old song, “I’m Too Sexy,” blasted through my head as I glanced at my reflection.

“Ain’t nothin’ sexy about you, chick.”

“Ain’t nothin’ sexy about you, chick,” I said to the comical view in the mirror. A few minutes later, knowing I had to spend 20 minutes with my scalp under the grocery bag, I switched on the TV. And there they were … the mannequin women from New Jersey Housewives on Bravo. [ad#single-post] A few months ago, I obsessed for awhile about the Housewives of Orange County, lost interest and returned to old episodes of Seinfeld. Once again, however, I was enthralled by the fact that these extremely wealthy women spend entire days on beauty enhancement. They’ve had so much botox, they look like ventriloquist dolls with movement only in the mouth when they interact together. None of them have back fat or little ham hocks hanging off their hips. And I’m pretty darn sure they don’t sit around with a smelly, sticky grocery bag stuck on their heads, waiting for the rusty-can orange to be bleached away. Personally, I hate all the female fuss. I dye my hair only because I’m vain enough to want to avoid looking like my great grandma before I’m 50. Other than that, I don’t put much time into all the fluff. I’ve got more to do than walk around looking like I’m going to the prom. I’m not flitting around in cute little sundresses. I mow around the barns in my faded overalls, perched on top of the Dixie chopper. I don’t have time or patience for fake fingernails either, since I love to dig in the dirt. And even though the orange tint has disappeared from my hair, it’s not curled into a pretty hairdo. No, it’s sweaty and flat, stuck to my wrinkled forehead. I’m one of many real women of Johnson County. We dare to grocery shop with bed head and naked faces. We love sweat pants and beat up old flip flops. We blaze the trail for washing our own cars and doing our own laundry, raising our own kids, counting our own wrinkles. New Jersey can’t hold a candle to us.

The Iconic Hamburger

By Wendell Fowler

We shouldn’t have to fear what we hold dear May 17, 2009, Cleveland, Ohio A 7-year-old dies after eating hamburger that contained E. coli. May 23, 2009, Green Bay, Wisc. 96,000 pounds of ground beef were voluntarily recalled because of E. coli. January of 2008, Rochester, New Mexico After six illnesses, Rochester Meat Co. recalled 188,000 pounds of ground beef patties that contained E. coli. February 2008 143 million pounds of beef recalled. Southern California undercover video showed workers dragging cows too sick or injured to stand with chains, shocking them with electric prods and shooting streams of water in their faces. The video led to the recall out of fear downer cattle, which pose a greater risk of illnesses such as mad cow disease, entered the food supply. They were prosecuted by the U.S. government. December 20, 2007 The Department of Agriculture issued a health alert after 38 people were sickened by contaminated ground beef sold at, ironically, a Safeway. How can a wholesome American tradition be bad for you? It’s not so wholesome anymore. Regrettably, the hamburger is currently considered a high-risk food because of the poor health standards under which the chopped meat is manufactured. The butchering and packaging process takes a long time, creating high bacteria counts and purification requiring chemical intervention. Putrefaction renders meat a lovely shade of green. Red dye is added to make it appear fresh. Unless marked, commercial hamburger will always contain red dyes.

“Regrettably, the hamburger is currently considered a high-risk food because of the poor health standards.”

Dawg-gonnit! Eating sizzling, aromatic hamburgers hot off the grill is a birthright; an investment into patriotic tradition. Barbeques are a magical part of summer. I recall those lazy summer twilights playing hide-and-go-seek when Dad would begin the ritual stoking of the grill, burning a few burgers, and to our glee slapping the sizzling bovine succulence onto a fluffy hamburger bun previously adorned with yellow mustard, tomato from the garden, onion and pickle. Mom would plop down her home made potato salad — American nirvana — and all was good with the world. Gosh those were magnificent times and they still can be, providing you employ a few safety precautions and common sense. Simply switching to whole grain buns would be a major diet improvement. You can do it. Just close your eyes. [ad#single-post] As grilled burger consumption increases, so do occurrences of food poisoning. Don’t fret. It’s easy to kill the germs in meat by cooking them till they are piping hot and the thickest part of the sizzling burger has reached an internal temperature of 165 degrees. A meat thermometer is a life-saving investment. Also, meat is safer to eat when there is no pink meat visible and the juices run clear. Don’t assume because meat is charred on the outside it will be cooked properly on the inside. Cut the meat and ensure none of it is pink on the inside. During the cooking process, raise the level of the grill so the outside of the burger doesn’t get blackened. New data presented by the American Association for Cancer Research finds that charred meat may increase the risk of pancreatic cancer. How do you avoid the MSG that’s added to conventional grocery hamburger today? MSG has been linked to rapid heart rates, headaches and allergic reactions. How do you avoid the hormones, pesticides, insecticides and antibiotics fed to cattle today, which science confirms make you sick? The answer is to do your homework, make an acquaintance with the sustainable farming community and purchase humanely raised beef grown in a chemical-free environment from a local, ethical source — a source where cattle were fed and raised in a manner which would gratify our Creator. May I suggest visiting www.factoryfarming.com?