Derby Dinner Playhouse will open their 2024-2025 Children's Musical Theatre Series with "The True Story of The Three Little Pigs" on Saturday, Oct. 5.
Public performances run Oct. 5, 12, 14, 19, 26, and Nov. 2 and Nov. 9.
For ticket information please call 812-288-8281 or visit www.derbydinner.com.
"The True Story of The Three Little Pigs"allows the audience to be the jury as the Big Bad Wolf is put on trial for his "supposed" crimes against the three pigs. This hilarious rock musical is led by Lillian Magill, a top pig reporter who is covering the courtroom drama. The audience gets to hear both sides and then decides whether the Wolf is guilty or innocent, thereby determining how the play will end.
The musical version of "The True Story of The Three Little Pigs" was adapted from the popular children's book written by Joe Scieszka and Lane Smith. The book and lyrics were written by Robert Kauzlaric, and the music was composed by Paul Gilvary and William Rush.
Derby Dinner's production is under the direction of Tina Jo Wallace. The cast includes Neill Robertson as Alexander T. Wolf, Ava Whitaker as Magill, Cherrie Pointer, Tasha Hatchett and Embry Thielmeier..
All public performances of "The True Story of The Three Little Pigs" feature a kid-friendly buffet and are one hour in length.
This production is most suitable for ages 3-12.
By Jerry Curry, Staff Writer
Nathaniel Smith, Editor
Old Settlers Days Festival is one of the best throughout the fall season. First established in 1875, this annual event is held in order to commemorate and honor the pioneers of old who had settled the wilderness lands of the Indiana Territory. Little by little, communities began to grow; one such community being Washington County.
This free festival lasting two days will be October 5 and 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with the only exception being a church service that will occur in the village on October 6 at 8 a.m. Old Settlers Days is held at the John Hay Pioneer Village located at 307 E. Market St., Salem, and it will have plenty of attractions for all types of interests.
Visitors will be greeted by many local food vendors, arts and crafts, and many historical reenactments. In addition, the Stevens Memorial Museum is open to exploration as well as the nearby Depot Railroad Museum located at 206 S. College Ave., Salem.
Old Settlers Days will also be hosting several local musicians for your listening pleasure. Starting the musical festivities off will be the Corydon Dulcimer Society on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Following up the Corydon Dulcimer Society will be local blues, rock and folk musician Jared Kearschner from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. And finally to wrap up the music, the Salem Guitar Club will be playing from 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.
Make sure to bring an appetite! The many food and drink options will include hot dogs, pulled pork, ham, beans, chili and more served from the Canton Christian Ladies Group ($8 combo meal or $4 à la carte), as well as booths offering products such as fresh apple cider.
Old Settlers Days is a must-see event in the Washington County area for any fans of food, community fun, or history. So, be sure to make an appearance at the 2024 Old Settlers Days Festival!
By Jerry Curry, Staff Writer
On Wednesday, October 2, a moped traveling west on Market Street in Salem hit the driver’s side of a truck pulling out of an alley west of North Shelby Street. The driver received a minor cut on his arm.
According to those on the scene the moped ran a stop sign and hit the side of a Hyundai Santa Cruz. The Santa Cruz’s door was damage significantly.
It was reported the moped driver was launched into the air, landing on the street.
Responding to the scene were the Salem Police, Salem Fire Department and Washington County Ambulance Service.
Officer Thacker was the investigating officer. No report has been filed yet.
When Washington Co. Ambulance Service was asked if anybody was transported to a hospital, they declined to answer, stating HIPAA regulations.
Staff photos by Jerry Curry.
By Becky Killian, Staff Writer
When the new Salem Municipal Airport opened with a 3,000-foot runway in September 2019, it was expected the federal funding to construct the final 2,000 feet would be received in late 2022. That money from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is still promised, but the runway completion has been delayed due to changes in how that agency funds projects, as well as the pandemic.
Board of Aviation President Jason Cockerill points to the uncompleted runway as the reason behind a crash that occurred Aug. 6 when a pilot from Pennsylvania was unable to stop the plane she was landing. The plane came to a stop in a soybean field.
“Had it [the runway] been longer, we probably wouldn’t have had that incident,” Cockerill said. “I hate that it happened. I’m glad nobody got hurt.” The pilot had been diverted to Salem from Bedford’s airport, which has a runway of about 4,500 feet.
The crash is currently being investigated by the National Transportation Safety Board. A final report is expected in about six months.
Salem’s runway was always planned to be 5,000 feet, which would accommodate small jets. However, during the pandemic, Cockerill said the FAA changed how it handled funding for projects. Rather than dispensing funding for a portion of a project, the goal became giving larger amounts of money so projects could be completed rather than done in stages. Since that change, other projects, mostly at larger airports, have been fully funded while smaller, already scheduled, funds trickle into Salem’s project.
“Most people do not realize that the FAA provides funding in stages and not completely upfront,” Cockerill said. “We can only do so much of the project each year based on the funding that is allocated. Additionally, most people do not realize that the funding from the FAA does not come from income or property tax revenue – the FAA aviation trust fund is funded from air-related travel taxes such as taxes on airline tickets or aviation fuel – so, in essence, aviation funds aviation projects which was also affected by COVID.”
Currently, the next round of funds from the FAA is expected in late 2026 and will be used to prepare the ground for the runway’s final 2,000 feet. That involves earth moving and grading; however, once the “grade and drain” is finished, the ground will have to be allowed to settle before runway construction begins – and that settling can take months due to the amount of soil that will be moved, the soil’s high clay content, and the water present in the area.
Cockerill and his fellow board members look forward to an October meeting with representatives from the FAA as well as the Indiana Department of Transportation. During that meeting, Cockerill said he intends to promote the economic impact the airport has on the community as well as the safety aspects of a longer runway. He also hopes to get an updated timeline for the project.
“The completion of the project opens the door for further economic growth, both in the jobs that are funded via work that's done on the project as well as the potential jobs that could come as a result of the finished project,” Cockerill said. “There is room near the airport for businesses to locate for those that just want based near an airport, such as the current flight school that's operating at the airport now.”
Airport officials have also asked the FAA for funding for another T-hangar, like the existing hangar located near the terminal building.
The airport has maintained a waiting list for hangar spots since the new facility opened. That list contained about 20 names as of July, Corey Harper, of H&R Aviation Consulting, said.
While waiting on the runway funding, airport officials have worked on other projects that aim to enhance and improve the airport, according to Harper. A parking lot has been installed and officials hope to lease ground to four individuals who want to construct hangars. That construction could begin this year. The individuals will lease ground from the airport and fund the construction of the hangars. Once the term of the lease has expired, ownership of the hangars will revert to the airport.
The airport also has a water and sewer extension that will be paid for with federal money the state is distributing through READI grants.
Despite the long wait for the completion of the 5,000-foot runway, Cockerill is grateful for what progress has been made.
“With the FAA contributing 90 percent of the funding for the project, then INDOT's contribution on top of that, it's hard to say that it hasn't been worth it for the community especially when you consider that the old runway was literally not safe.”
Salem Municipal Airport Board President Jason Cockerill believes the airport's uncompleted runway contributed to an Aug. 6 plane crash. No injuries resulted, according to Washington County Sheriff Brent Miller. Miller’s department, as well as Salem police, fire and EMS personnel, responded to the scene.
Photo by Sheriff Brent Miller
By Rose Condra, CHOICES Executive Director
CHOICES Life Resource Center is a non-profit organization serving families across Southern Indiana, with locations in New Albany, Corydon, Salem, and Marengo. They were established in 2004 in New Albany.
In 2017, the Corydon office opened, and in 2019, the CARE Pregnancy Center in Salem merged with CHOICES and opened its current office at 1201 N Jim Day Road.
CHOICES offers compassionate, life-affirming care for those experiencing an unplanned pregnancy. CHOICES does NOT provide, fund, or refer for abortions. Additionally, parenting support is offered free for families with no residency requirements or income restrictions.
Nearly 900 individuals have received support this year.
Each center location offers pregnancy testing and life-affirming options counseling. Their nurses provide ultrasounds for pregnancy confirmation in each office except the Marengo satellite location.
Holly Ward, RN, said, “Every pregnant woman, no matter the circumstances that brought her to us, deserves to be supported during her pregnancy.”
Moms and dads are invited to join the StepUp Parenting Resource Program (SUPR). The free SUPR program includes group classes, individual parenting support, and life skills education for families, pregnancy through children under age four.
SUPR includes a Dr. Dad program made just for new fathers.
Clients in the free parenting program earn Boutique Bucks, which may be redeemed in the Blessing Boutique for diapers, formula, clothing, car seats, etc. So far, in 2024, over $250,000 worth of baby supplies have gone to help families in their four locations.
Allison Adams, Director of Development, said of their popular parenting program, “CHOICES, exists to partner with moms and dads in caring for their children. Parents are not offered a handout, but an avenue for education, encouragement, and help with baby supplies.”
To learn more about CHOICES's services, you may visit their website at ChoicesLRC.org.
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