From revolution and suffrage, to civil rights and casting ballots, everyone in every community is part of the ever-evolving story of democracy in America. As part of a thematic initiative exploring civics and democracy, Indiana Humanities is sponsoring a tour of the Smithsonian's Voices and Votes: Democracy in Americaexhibition.

In 2026, six Indiana communities will host the exhibit for six weeks each and receive extensive training, funding, and other resources from the expert staffs of the Smithsonian and Indiana Humanities. Each of the hosts will also curate a unique section of the exhibit that explores their community story of civic engagement.

Voices and Votes: Democracy in America is part of Museum on Main Street, a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution and State Humanities Councils nationwide. The Museum on Main Street program works with rural communities to design and host high-quality exhibits and create dynamic public programs across the United States. Voices and Votes is based on an exhibition by the National Museum of American History. Support for Museum on Main Street has been provided by the United States Congress.

About the Exhibition

When American revolutionaries waged a war for independence, they took a leap of faith that sent ripple effects across generations. They embraced a radical idea of establishing a government that entrusted the power of the nation not in a monarchy, but in its citizens. That great leap sparked questions that continue to impact Americans:

• Who has the right to vote?
• What are the freedoms and responsibilities of citizens?
• Whose voices will be heard?
• How do you participate as a citizen?
• How do we encourage more people to participate in our democracy?

Voices and Votes: Democracy in America is a springboard for discussions about those very questions and how they are reflected in local stories. Our democracy demands action, reaction, vision, and revision. From revolution and suffrage, to civil rights and casting ballots, everyone in every community is part of this ever-evolving story – the story of democracy in America.

This exhibition covers many themes, including:

 Learn more and apply by January 31, 2025.

• Communities
• Fundraisers
• Special Events

By Jerry Curry, Staff Writer

If you never participated in the Polar Purge this could be your year! Presented by Special Olympics as a fundraiser with 19,000 members state wide, this is the 26th year of the Polar Plunge and is the largest money raising event for the organization. Their sayings are “Be Bold, Get Cold,” and “Freezin’ for a Reason.” Meeting at Deam Lake, groups and individuals step down into the water and splash around in the 194-acre ice-cold bath. Each individual must raise at least $99 to join in the fun; the state goal is one million dollars. Individuals can still make virtual donations even if the plunge is not for you. To register and donate, Click Here!

Some groups that accept new members include Hannah's Frozen Friends or the Washington Co. Chillers group coordinated by Ray Owens. But feel free to start any group you want!

Aptly named the “world’s coolest field trip,” the first event is at Borden High School on Friday February 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. The plunge begins at 10:30 a.m. at Deam Lake and is open to students.

The community plunge is Saturday, February 15 with registration from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. and the Polar Plunge beginning at noon. After the plunge is the Splash Bash at 1:00 p.m. Plungers must be 12 years old the day of the event day to enter the water. Those under the age of 18 must have a signature from parent or guardian.  Questions can be emailed to Scott Furnish at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. There are several sites in the state holding this event, however Deam Lake is closest to Salem and is located at 1217 Deam Lake Road, Borden.

In 2024, the group raised $136,000, and the total that took the plunge ended up being 337 individuals and 28 groups. The groups that collected the most money were Hannah’s Frozen friends and SOIN Clark and Floyd Counties Polar Bears tied at $26,000.

Last year, even members of the Washington County Sheriff’s Department joined in and they collected $2,300 for the event! Total people that took the plunge from Washington County was 34 and in total raised $14,050. Register and donate today to have a great time supporting a great cause!

Washington Co. Chillers

Group from Prosser.

• State of Indiana
• Law & Justice
• Crime

By Jerry Curry, Staff Writer

Wednesday morning, December 18 at 12:44 a.m., the State of Indiana executed Joseph Edward Corcoran. Corcoran had been on death row since 1999 when he killed his brother and three other individuals on July 26, 1997. Previously, he had also killed his mother and father when he was 17 years old.

This was the first execution in Indiana in 15 years. However, there have been other executions in the state, but those were for federal crimes.

According to the Indiana Capital Chronicle, there were four people in the witness area that was intended for family and friends of Corcoran. Those present included a Capital Chronicle reporter Casey Smith, Corcoran’s wife Tahina and her son. Also present was Defense Attorney Larry Komp, and Rev. David Leitzel was also eventually allowed inside the chamber.

Corcoran tried to appeal the execution based on his mental condition but was deemed fit to stand trial. His mental illness was documented as early as age 17. When he was under psychological evaluation for the murder of his mother and father, Corcoran claimed that ultrasound machines were controlling him and his thoughts, and he maintained that claim until the end. The Seventh Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals voted 2-1 to deny a request to stay the execution. On several occasions, Corcoran refused to sign any paperwork to initiate a clemency review or other avenues that could have resulted in his removal from death row.

When asked if Corcoran had any last words, he replied with, “Not really. Let’s get this over with.” His last meal consisted of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, and his body will be cremated and the ashes given to his wife.

Attorney General Todd Rokita issued the following statement on Joseph Corcoran's execution:

"Early this morning, Indiana conducted its first execution since 2009. Joseph Corcoran's case worked its way through our judicial system and today he finally paid his debt to society as justice was provided to his victims. A jury recommended and a judge imposed a sentence of death for the senseless murders of four people. My office fought to defend that sentence and state law every step of the way, and the Indiana Department of Correction carried it out professionally." - Todd Rokita

Death Chamber of Indiana State Prison in Michigan City. Photo by Indiana Department of Correction.

• Government
• State of Indiana
• Federal

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita is taking yet another strong step to protect the lives of unborn children — this time co-leading a multistate coalition defending a Georgia law prohibiting most abortions after detection of a fetal heartbeat. 

Pro-abortion advocates are challenging the law, claiming the Georgia constitution creates a right to abortion on demand. 

“By helping preserve pro-life laws in other states, we can prevent precedents that might endanger pro-life laws here in Indiana,” Attorney General Rokita said. “This law protecting innocent unborn children is rock-solid from a legal perspective and should easily survive the baseless challenges aimed against it.”  

"The idea that general protections for privacy equal a right to obtain abortions is the same flawed reasoning that the U.S. Supreme Court rejected when it overturned Roe v. Wade with the 2022 Dobbs decision," notes an amicus brief co-led by Attorney General Rokita and Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody. 

“Yet Appellees invoke Georgia’s general right of privacy in an attempt to revive Roe in Georgia,” the brief states. 

Attorney General Rokita also continues defending a robust pro-life law passed by the Indiana General Assembly in 2022. 

“While others may waver under political pressure, I will always stand strong for the right to life just as I defend so many other Indiana laws,” Attorney General Rokita said. “That’s what it means to have the courage of one’s convictions, and no cause is more important.

• Salem
• Lifestyle
• Travel

By Jerry Curry, Staff Writer

Work continues on the 62.3-mile long Monon Trail, and there was a ribbon cutting for the Orleans Trailhead on December 19. Not only is this the first finished trail head, but it will be the longest trail in Indiana running from Orleans, through Borden, and then on to New Albany. The trailhead in Salem will start at South Main St. and W. Short Street behind El Camino’s restaurant. This trailhead will be marked with a vintage 40 ft. boxcar. The boxcar is one of the last remnants of Salem in the 1970’s.

The story goes that the boxcar was essentially out of sight and out of mind behind the hardware store. After the rails were removed, it was stuck where it sat. A call was made to the railroad office and immediately a quick claim deal was made, and it sold for one dollar. Radius of Indiana, an economic development in southern Indiana, took charge. It was estimated that it would take $50,000 to restore the weather-beaten rusty car, but thankfully they received a matching grant from the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority “CreatINg Places” program.

First, Radius had to raise $25,000. One of the largest contributors, who was also fundamental in the effort to save the West Baden Dome, was The Cook Group. The next step was locating a contractor. Through verbal recommendation by Stephanie Vines, Greg Suvak was chosen for the position. He is owner of Suvak Engineering in Salem, and his company built the outside John Hay amphitheater in Salem.

They had to pull the boxcar out of the bushes and clean it up after it had been previously occupied by homeless individuals. It was power washed and steam cleaned twice after the homeless moved in once again.

First the exterior had to be sandblasted. The lettering was traced to preserve the original design after a search was made for the original lettering stencil but was not found. The tracing was then given to Zink Signs for a vinyl reproduction. Lots of metal had to be replaced from the floor to the roof, but any original lettering inside the car was preserved.

Jeff Quyles of Radius was in charge of the project along with the input of Stephanie Vines. At the time, Vines was the office manager at Washington Co. Historical Society at the John Hay Depot Museum located at 206 S College Ave. Cecil Smith was a heavy contributor to the museum and influenced Vines. His train set from his basement along with other items are at the Depot.

The boxcar is now painted a bright blue and adorned with the “L&N” logo, but it’s not yet been decided what to do with the interior. In front of the box car will be a statue of four children. This idea came from Quyles’ childhood memories of a book called “Boxcar Children” he had read. It’s a story about four orphans that found a box car and made it their home. Later their grandfather who was thought to be mean took them in. The children soon discovered he was anything but mean, and had the boxcar moved to his backyard for the children to enjoy. The book went on to sell 80 million copies and became a series.

The Salem trailhead is tentatively set to be finished in April or May of 2025. Quyles said “We wanted a place close to the square and the surrounding businesses.” Max Construction out of New Albany is the chief contractor for building the trail with crushed aggregate and asphalt. Temple and Temple is building the trailhead restrooms, parking areas, shaded areas and signs. The trail is not open now, but the main rule will be no motorized vehicles and no horses. Wheelchairs, bicycles, e-bike (20 mph speed limit), inline skates and skateboards on paved areas will be permitted.

Before too long, this trailhead, marked by the big, blue and historic “L&N” boxcar, will be ready and open for community enjoyment.

• Education
• Lifestyle
• Garden

On a school lunch menu in rural Goshen, Indiana, is pizza, caprese sandwiches, hard-boiled eggs, and tater tot casserole. 

It may seem like nothing special (save maybe the Midwestern flare), except it is. Some of those very ingredients are grown and sourced by students just outside the cafeteria walls. 

With the help of a USDA grant, Bethany Christian Schools has grown its farm-to-school (rather, farm-at-school) program to include a greenhouse, garden beds, a 13-head chicken coop, and pear trees. It exists in large part thanks to Tara Swarzendruber, the K-12’s food services and farm-to-school director. 

Photo Credit: Courtesy Bethany Christian Schools

“My goal was sort of to transform our menu to reflect more of the local foods that are available here in Indiana,” says Tara Swarzendruber, food services and farm-to-school director at Bethany Christian Schools.

“We’re working to give [students] more tactile experiences,” particularly among younger students, she says. “A lot of them, you know, spend a lot of time on iPads and screens … But this is a very physical experience of experiencing a food, a new food. And then the next week we’ll have it in the cafeteria for them to try there too.”

That experience looks like tending to the gardens and caring for chickens. Some students save seeds to replant; others lay down newspaper and grass clippings to prevent weeds.

Picking peppers, harvesting spinach and lettuce, going to butcher chickens once a year—it’s all in the curriculum. And for good reason, science teacher Amy Thut says.
She once overheard a student say going out into the garden relieves her anxiety. Another was inspired to plant tomatoes at home, meticulously watching them grow. They learn about food systems and how everything is connected.

“Spending time outdoors smelling the fragrant basil plants, feeling the wet soil, listening to insects chirping, seeing butterflies or earthworms, and tasting tomatoes or hot peppers is a full sensory experience,” Thut says. 

“Students benefit academically, socially, and emotionally from this time outdoors.” 

According to the South Dakota State University Extension, benefits of farm-to-school programs on students and staff include: grade and test score improvements, healthier food choices, more food system knowledge, better self-esteem and morale, and hands-on/experimental teaching and learning. 

In the spring, Thut works with her high school environmental science students to plant garden beds. Think cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, herbs, and flowers, which are simple for cafeteria staff to get on plates, she says. 

Photo Credit: Courtesy Bethany Christian Schools

In the summer, a high school student (with the help of grounds staff) will water and weed the gardens, keeping bellies full through October. Then it’s time for the “fresh cart” come wintertime: Buy a meal (or use a free or reduced lunch pass) and get unlimited access to fresh fruit and vegetables all day. On the cart, you might find pea and sunflower shoots grown by sixth graders. Or chive flowers, hand-cut by Swarzendruber. 

“My goal has always been, in the cafeteria and as we’ve been transforming [the program], that the educational experience for students doesn’t stop during the lunch period,”  Swarzendruber says. 

Her pointers for schools, or even just families, looking to follow a similar model: Lean into what you’re excited about, if even just a little. Then, start small. 
That’s what Bethany Christian Schools did some dozen years ago: Take a handful of seeds and one small garden, and watch it all grow. 

Amy Felegy, Culture Reporter

Amy Felegy (she/her) is a culture reporter at Arts Midwest. She specializes in finding and sharing stories on boundless creativity, and has been a professional journalist for eight years.

• City of Salem
• Road Safety

By Becky Killian, Staff Writer

City officials have changed the process for obtaining or renewing off-road vehicle permits.

The change – which aims to simplify the process – was made during the Monday, Dec. 9, meeting of the Salem Common Council.
Before the change, owners of off-road vehicles had to register them annually with the Salem Police Department and visit the city’s Clerk’s Office to pay the $25 registration fee.Now, the entire process will be handled at the Clerk's Office.
Police Chief Eric Mills explained that off-road vehicle owners typically provide photos to prove the vehicles are properly equipped as required by city code.
In addition to headlights, taillights, and brakes, the vehicles must have a functional rear-view mirror and either an orange pennant or flag or a slow-moving vehicle emblem. Also, vehicles must have installed turn signals that are visible from the front and back.
Owners must also provide proof of registration with the Indiana Department of Motor Vehicles as well as proof of insurance.
Mills said about 150 off-road vehicle permits have been issued this year, which is up from last year’s total of about 80.

• Law & Justice
• Crime

By Jerry Curry, Staff Writer

In an effort to recover 3.1 million dollars in restitution from Jamey Noel’s criminal case, Judge Larry Medlock has ordered the collected items to be sold at auction on January 1, 2025. Funds garnered from the auction will be split and distributed as follows:

• $2,870,924 to Utica Township Volunteers Firefighters Association
• $173,155.07 to Indiana Department of Revenue
• $61,190.77 to Clark County Sheriff’s Department
• $435,245.60 to Indiana State Police

Many items have been held back for the trial involving Jamey Noel's wife Misty and daughter Kasey. Noel was sentenced to 15 years in prison after pleading guilty to 27 felonies of theft and fraud. 3 of the 15 years were suspended to probation, and he could even be released in as early as 9 ½ years with good behavior.

The property seized by the Indiana State Police will be auctioned off by Freije & Freije Auctioneers. Online and live bidding are both available, and the physical location for the auction will be 2340 W. US Highway 40, Clayton, Indiana. Doors open at 8 a.m. ET., and the live auction begins at 10 a.m. with a 10% buyer’s fee and a $500 deposit to bid online. Online bidders bidding on Freijeauctioneers.com will pay a 2.5% online bidding fee, and bidders using Proxibid will undergo a 3% online fee.

There are 85 firearms for sale, mainly including handguns, shotguns and rifles. Also up for grabs are shoes, custom suits, pants and two Rolex watches. The watches already hold bids at $9,000 and $10,500.

If you are interested in viewing or placing bids, all 140 of Noel’s items can be found here.

• Washington County
• Special Events
• Elections

Yesterday morning, December 26 at 10 a.m., the newly-elected officials of Washington County were sworn-in. Friends, family and community members alike packed Judge Larry Medlock’s courtroom at the Circuit Court to congratulate the new additions to our governmental body.

A total of 14 electees raised their right hands yesterday and swore an oath of office to uphold the duties and responsibilities of the positions in which they have been elected for the betterment of Washington County. Judge Medlock and Judge Dustin Houchin worked in tandem to swear-in the new officials, and Stephanie Rockey, who also was sworn-in for her second term as the Clerk of Courts, organized the ceremony.

Enjoy photos from the swearing-in ceremony below!

(Left to right) Hon. Houchin, Treasurer Coats and Clerk of Courts Rockey.

Hon. Dustin Houchin Swearing-in Nancy Coats, Treasurer

Shawnda Keltner, County Coroner.

Emily Rodman, County Surveyor.

Tony Cardwell Jr., County Commissioner District 3.

Todd Armstrong, County Council At-Large.

Bradley Gilbert, County Council At-Large.

Jennifer Stahl, Campbellsburg Town Council.

Anthony Mosby, Pekin Town Council.

Allison Ezzell, Salem School Board.

Rebecca Humphrey, Salem School Board.

Ty Sweeney, Salem School Board.

Jamie Mosby, East Washington School Board.

Aaron Lee, East Washington School Board.

Crowd gathered to watch the ceremony.

Hon. Medlock and Rockey joined by the Clerk of Courts office staff.

Photos by Nathaniel Smith.