FREE

ROPINGPage 6

TENNISPage 12

SLEDDINGPage 22

WintER 2013

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SOUTH-CENTRAL INDIANA’S ADVENTURE MAGAZINE

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On the cover10-year-old Morgan shows off her skills in the jump zone at Plainfield’s Sky Zone trampoline park. Photo by Darryl Smith

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©2013 Schurz Communications, Inc.ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY COPYRIGHT. Prices, specials and descriptions are accurate as of the time of publishing. This publication or parts thereof may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the express written consent of the publisher. Advertising information has been provided by advertisers. Schurz Communications, Inc. does not make any representations as to the opinions and facts contained herein. All terms and conditions are subject to change. The cover, cover design, format and layout of this publication are trademarks of Schurz Communications, Inc.

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Adventure CalendarPage 27

Adventure Tool KitPage 26

TEAm TImEPAGE 24

Snow DayPage 22

IndianaOld WestPage 6

Editor’sAdventurePage 4

Bouncing Off the WallPage 16

AcesPage 12

Family TargetsPage 10

Raptor DaysPage 20

PAOLI PEAkS

EDITOR’S

PICS | Darryl Smith My first time on skis at Paoli Peaks, kids half my height and a quarter my age zipped around me like tiny winter Olympians, a sight that was equal parts intimidating and encouraging. Sure, I personally felt like a large, ungainly creature stapled to planks, but c’mon,

kids can do this—I should totally be able to do this.

The better you are, the bigger Paoli Peaks becomes. For me, on my first attempt, it was about 200 feet of gentle

slope and a chair lift. But I could see the reasons for aspiration: the smooth downhills, the black-diamond slopes and the terrain parks filled with rails, boxes and jumps—all that fun and adventure to be had.

M y skilled instructor mark lead me clomping out into the snow in my ski boots and took me through a brief lesson. mark’s

skiing and teaching knowledge are extensive and he had ready answers to every question I asked, even the silly ones. He taught me how to stand with my weight forward (like roller derby, I thought) and told me to keep my arms and shoulders loose (like boxing, I thought—funny how different skills translate from one sport to another).

I was taught the terminology: Uphill, downhill or crosshill instead of left or right. I was taught how to steer, and very importantly, how to slow myself and stop. Some skiers utilized poles, but mark preferred that I learn without them so they didn’t become a crutch. This was

a good call on his part.

4

Se Kathryn in (slow-moving) action on the slopes. Watch the video by downloading the free HTlivepage app. Then, aim your smartphone or tablet camera at the photo above.

Kathryn S. Gardiner,Editor

Balance is not my strong suit and I would have been leaning on those poles for all I’m worth. As it was, my glutes, hamstrings and stabilizing muscles got a much-needed challenge.

“Arms out,” mark told me, “like Superman.”

“Like a zombie?” I suggested, but mark preferred his reference.

“No, like Superman,” he said; my arms should be active, engaged, helping me balance and steer myself, not hanging lifeless.

Along with the dynamo kids and experienced adults, a few other newbies like myself (of all ages) stumbled, fell or utterly wiped out in the snow. On the chair lift, I slipped getting off and fell to the ground. I managed to pop out of my skis in the process—they were a few feet from me when I finally stood—and the staff had to stop the entire chair lift until I was up, safe and out of the way. This happened more than once. So, take my word for it: New folks and the uncoordinated need not fear Paoli Peaks. I was only ever met with a helping hand, a gentle voice of guidance or a personal anecdote about someone else’s first time on the slopes. I felt like everyone wanted me to get better.

A nd that is maybe the best part of Paoli Peaks: You can. Within one visit, you can go from lesson to fun with

friends on whichever slopes you choose. With each hour you spend there working your skills, the park gets bigger and bigger until your Bunny meadows becomes Indiana Jones and then maybe even the Bobcat or Graber’s Express.

At the end of my short visit, I still skied more like the walking dead than the man of steel, but looking out at those slopes, the potential seemed awesomely possible.

See you on the slopes!

5

6

WORDS | Carrol Krause

MORE | Page 8

PICS | Darryl Smith

alf roping is increasingly popular across the nation due to the proliferation of rodeo shows on TV and YouTube. Indoor roping arenas are beginning to appear in Indiana. One of these is Broken Dollar Arena in the Bedford area, run by life-long roping enthusiast mike Brown.

“It’s a fun event, and my friends and I grew up doing it,” he says. “I’ve always wanted an indoor arena, because

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in Indiana it’s almost impossible to schedule outdoor events due to the weather. We need an indoor venue, because we’re just in the wrong part of the country.”

mike’s indoor arena is totally enclosed. He has about 20 calves that range in weight from 400 to 600 pounds. The roper must bring a trained horse as well as a roping saddle that can take the wear-and-tear associated with the activity, sturdy gloves and a good rope (available at tack stores or online from National Roping Supply).

Roping originated back in the ranching days of the Old West. Whenever animals needed to be singled out of

the herd for marking or for medical treatment, cowboys would use their lariats to halt the steers and immobilize them. Over the years, from its real-life ranching origins, the skill evolved into a sport with rules and protocols.

The horse that is ridden must be trained carefully and accustomed to quick starts and stops. A roping horse

THE REST | From Page 7

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knows when to stop galloping and pull backwards to help its rider. The event is timed, starting when the calf first emerges from the chute to when the roper manages to flip it on its side and tie three of its legs together.

Roping can be done solo or by two members of a coordinated roping team. A team consists of a header and a heeler; the header turns the steer in order to make it easy for the heeler to catch the animal and immobilize it.

“You’ve got five different minds there,” mike points out; “you have the two team members, their two horses, and the calf, and you’re trying to get them all in order. I enjoy the challenge and the horsemanship of the event. We have a lot of fun.”

Some readers might be curious how the calves feel about all this.

“They love it!” says mike. “It gives them exercise and something to do. Once you rope them a few times they get into the routine.”

Broken Dollar Arena is not open for public events at this point, nor is it open for casual spectators; but private roping events are held intermit-tently, and mike is willing to instruct newcomers to the sport. There’s no website or public phone number.

“Anybody’s who’s involved with roping in Indiana knows me and the guys I run with, and they know how to get hold of me,” mike states.

mike travels widely to other states to attend rodeos and is very proud and glad to help bring the sport to Indiana.

“I love the competition,” he fin-ishes. “I’m chasing my dream.”

9

Katrina Brown eyes her target

WORDS | Lauren Slavin

PICS | Ray Brown

Family TargeTsFather-daughter duo let arrows fly

in Disney’s “Brave,” curly-haired Scottish prin-cess merida is given a bow for her birthday, and under her father’s tutelage, becomes a feisty teen archer besting her princely suitors bullseye after bullseye.

Ray Brown’s 8-year-old daughter Katrina isn’t quite ready to show off her skills atop a gallop-ing horse, but gaining experience with a bow beside her father has brought them together like

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arrow and string.“It was a very good experience for

just us two,” Brown said of their first father-daughter 3-D shoot. “We tend to bond a little more because of this kind of stuff.”

Brown started shooting last year with a borrowed bow from his friend Tim Hon-eycutt. Honeycutt has been

shooting since he was 9 years old, and at age 49 has passed his decades of experience to new enthusiasts.

“People like Ray I’ve showed really enjoyed it and will probably continue to do it long after I’m gone,” Honeyc-utt said.

Honeycutt gifted his 14-year-old niece Emily with a bow of her own last Christmas. Between the archery programs she participates in at home in Fort myers, Fla., and holiday visits with her uncle, she’s continued the family tradition.

“I’ve watched Ray and I’ve watched the girls all improve because they enjoy it so much and they want to

improve,” Honeycutt said. “It’s good to see a different and younger female generation wanting to do this.”

Brown grew up with a family of hunters, but during his adolescence was more interested in sports like basketball. He picked up the shooting basics quickly from Honeycutt’s les-sons, which was enough motivation to continue improving his skills on his own.

“I work all day and then I go work-out and then go home,” Brown said. “I don’t have much recreation after that,

except my daughter and my wife and I try to get outside as much as we can. I think that’s what’s the most fun about this whole thing.”

During the summer months, Brown and his daughter ventured from shooting in their backyard

to the outdoor courses at Nancy’s Bro-ken Arrow in Quincy, where life-size 3-D models of polar bears, dinosaurs and other beasts serve as targets.

“Every time she would hit the target, hitting it anywhere was suf-

ficient to her, even if she didn’t hit the bullseye,” Brown said. “Every little bit builds her confidence.”

Brown wants to feel confident in his abilities before he gets an archery hunting license. During a holiday visit, Honeycutt took Emily to a virtual hunting simulation, where archers can practice shooting at a screen before braving the wild.

“It teaches people quite a bit about animals actually moving through brush,” Honeycutt said.

For adult beginners, Honeycutt

recommends seeking out a local archery club or pro shop for advice on equipment. Katrina now takes a pee-wee archery class where she can learn more about shooting safely and improve her accuracy.

“They’re surprised girls are com-ing, and they’re really glad about that,” Brown said. “She [Katrina] was so encouraged when she realized she had something of her own none of her peers were doing. Now her friends will come over to play and she’ll show them.”

Katrina (right) and fellow archer

Bailey celebrate their shots

Three new archers–Emily, Katrina and Bailey–are learning the sport from the men in their families

(Bottom) Katrina with Tim Honeycutt, Tony Jenkins and father Ray Brown

11

“We believe in the concept of positive thinking, reinforcing correct techniques and tactics, hard work and confidence.”

— Mike O’Connell,head pro and

co-director of the IU Tennis Center

12

MORE | Page 14

AcesIU Tennis Center welcomes all skill levels

WORDS | Kasey Husk

PICS | Darryl Smith

Bloomington resident mimi murphy had simply been looking for a new activity for her daughter when friends suggested giving tennis lessons at the Indiana University Tennis Center a try.

Little did she realize, she says, that the IU Tennis Center would be at the center of her and her entire family’s lives just two years later.

“We’re there seven days of the week,” says murphy, whose husband, Brian, 7-year-old daughter Keira, and 6-year-old son Brady, all play. “I love that we can all do it together and

it keeps us active.”murphy and her family are just a few of

the more than 1,300 members of the IU Ten-nis Center, from players picking up a racket for the first time to those who are nationally ranked, says mike O’Connell, head pro and co-director of the center. “We handle anyone from 5 years old to 95 years old, and every range of players,” he says.

Pop into the tennis center, located on campus at 1866 N. Fee Lane, at just about any time during the week and you are likely to find its eight indoor courts all busy, O’Connell

13

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says. And for good reason: when it comes to tennis, he says, there’s little that his center doesn’t offer.

The center offers “comprehensive instructional programs for adults and children, from beginner to tournament players,” O’Connell

says. That includes seasonal clinics for people of all skill levels, group and private lessons, fitness classes, partner matching for doubles tennis, court and ball machine rentals, even a tennis professional career training program for those who’d like to learn to teach tennis. The center also hosts tourna-ments and offers tennis leagues for people of varying skill levels, he says.

The center’s philosophy is to “help each student reach their potential. ... We believe in the concept of positive thinking, reinforcing correct techniques and tactics, hard work and confi-dence,” O’Connell says. Among its suc-cess stories are two of its juniors being ranked No. 1 in the United States.

But what sets the IU Tennis Center apart, O’Connell says, is its staff of instructors, most of whom are certified by the United States Professional Ten-nis Association and two of whom have been named USPTA Indiana Profes-sional of the Year. O’Connell himself is among the 1 percent of certified teach-ing professionals ranked as “master professionals” and was ranked nation-ally in singles and doubles tennis.

still, O’Connell says, novices need not feel nervous about com-ing in for a lesson. Each person is placed in a class with other

people at his or her own skill level, and instructors work hard to make newcomers comfortable.

“One of the things I’ve tried to really instill is being very positive and ap-proachable and friendly,” he says of his instructors.

murphy has high praise for both the instructors, and the social environ-ment at the IU Tennis Center. When she first decided to try a lesson, she invested only $14.99 in tennis shoes she found on eBay because she wasn’t sure she’d enjoy the sport. One year later, she was going to the tennis cen-ter every day, joined a traveling tennis team, made close friends and had worn holes in the bottoms of those tennis shoes.

“I had no idea I was going to like it as much as I did,” murphy says, laughing.

THE REST | From Page 13

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bouncing off the walls

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hile undergoing chemotherapy, sports and other intense activities aren’t pos-sible, an especially difficult restriction for a 13-year-old boy.

At Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Parks, birthday parties, workouts and dodgeball tournaments are everyday events. A truly special occasion, Jaime martino remembers, was the celebra-tion of a cancer-free kid.

“He told me that all he thought about during treatment was going to Sky Zone when he was done,” said martino, managing partner of the Plainfield Sky Zone. “Seeing him fly around on the courts, jump into the foam zone, and dunk on Sky Slam was incredible. He had a smile on his face that he probably hadn’t had for a long time.”

bouncing off the walls isn’t an idiom for Sky Zone jumpers. A floor of trampoline after trampoline and walls you can

safely spring off into a back flip offer a unique sport and exercise experience unimaginable on a hardwood court.

“Sky Slam allows someone that has always dreamed of dunking a basketball on a regulation size hoop the opportunity to do so. Dodgeballers can dip, dive, and dodge in ways you could never dream of on a gym floor,” martino said. “The courts provide the ultimate setting to spike a volleyball like a super hero or make a big-time block at the net. It just makes every-thing faster, higher, more competitive and more fun.”

After signing a safety waiver and donning a pair of “jump shoes,” Sky Zone high flyers spend 30-120 minutes bouncing around and flipping into a soft pit of foam. Court monitors make sure jumpers follow safety regulations.

“They’re our version of lifeguards. They’re there to make sure everyone is having fun, but participating safely,” martino said. “We ‘size separate’ jump-ers on all our courts, so we group kids of similar size together to participate. Additionally, we only allow one person per trampoline to avoid double bounc-ing.”

SkyRobics cardio workouts burn up to 1,000 calories an hour, and the low-

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impact of trampoline bouncing is easy on exercisers’ joints.

Ultimate Dodgeball is a Sky Zone innovation played on trampoline courts. The second annual Ultimate

Dodgeball Championship was held in September in Las Vegas and broadcast on Fox Sports Network. This year, a team from Plainfield made it to the final eight competitors, beating out more than 400 other Sky Zone teams across the United States and Canada.

“They ended up finishing in fourth place, which is pretty incredible considering the total number of teams that participated,” martino said. “We’re obviously really proud of them, and we’re looking forward to having them back for next year’s local tournament and hopefully another chance at the Ultimate Championship!”

The Plainfield Sky Zone is the first in the world to introduce another origi-nal sport: Ultimate Volleyball. While volleyball is only in the testing phase and available weekly, tournaments could start as early as 2014. Until then, Plainfield will continue holding dodgeball tournaments to take home the Sky Cup, “kind of like the Sky Zone version of the Sprint Cup in Nascar,” martino said.

Watch the Sky Zone in action. See the video by downloading the free HTlivepage app. Then, aim your smartphone or tablet camera at the photo above.

19

he opportunity to gaze at a bald eagle from eight feet away is a rare occasion for most of us, but it happens for hundreds at Hardy Lake’s Raptor Days on the last full weekend of each September.

“It can really mean a lot to people to see their national symbol that up close and personal,” said Leslie Grow, the interpre-tive naturalist at Hardy Lake who spear-heads the annual event aimed at educating the public and raising funds for the Dwight Chamberlain Raptor Center, onsite.

Hardy Lake program protects and promotes birds of prey

WORDS | Laura Gleason

PICS | Darryl Smith

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The annual event kicks off on Friday with activities geared toward local ele-mentary school groups. On Saturday and Sunday, the public is welcomed for live animal programs and wagon rides, along with pontoon boat rides around Hardy Lake and tours of the raptor center, which is normally closed to the public.

he raptor center has been operating since the late 1980s, when it was opened as part of a larger state-run facility that

rehabilitated mammals as well. Around 2001, however, the budget was reduced to the point where the center was going to have to close or find another source of funding.

“At that point our nonprofit, Friends of Hardy Lake, began taking care of all the expenses,” Grow said. The focus was narrowed to raptors—an umbrella term which includes owls, eagles, hawks, and falcons—since there weren’t any similar

facilities in the region.In a typical year, between 50 and

100 birds are brought to the center. By mid-November of this year, more than 80 birds had come in. Common issues include birds getting caught in an old barbed wire fence, hit by a car, shot, or poisoned, often by eating a rodent that had ingested rat poison.

“We get a lot of young birds that were in a tree cavity and the tree got cut down,” Grow added.

While some birds arrive with a natu-rally occurring avian illness, “far and away, the majority of things we get are human-caused problems,” Grow said.

Raptors are important to the natural world because of their pest control abili-ties, Grow said.

“Everything has its place in the eco-system, and you don’t want to remove one piece in the web, that’s for sure, or everything else can start crumbling around it,” she explained.

hile most of the activities during the Raptor Days programming are free, profits from the bake sale,

silent auction, and the Saturday morn-ing fundraising breakfast raise money to help provide for the raptors while they’re being rehabilitated. Additional fundraising breakfasts are held at regular intervals from April through October.

The expenses of vet bills and medica-tions for the animals add up, said Jackie mcGannon, a charter member of the Friends of Hardy Lake, and the center has to raise and feed mice, rats, and rabbits for the raptors to eat.

As for the future of the event, Grow and the Friends of Hardy Lake would like to see it continue to expand and flourish. “We just hope it continues to grow and grow and grow,” mcGannon said.

Raptor Days will be held the weekend of Sept. 26 through Sept. 28, 2014.

Interpretive naturalists Leslie Grow [top] and Kodi Mitchell [bottom] give the public the opportunity to admire raptors up close

21

PIC | Jeremy HoganJJ Ekeler, Ava Costello, Mike Ekeler and Cameron Ekeler walk to a hill to sled at Tri-North Middle School last winter

snoWDay!

Making sled tracks on the best hills in Bloomington and Bedford

WORDS | Kasey Husk

PIC | Jeremy HoganSam Ksimi, Trey Peterson and

Andrew Torbenson sled in Rev. Ernest D. Butler Park last winter

Devices like the Xbox or iPad might capture chil-dren’s attention much of the year, but when snow starts to fly, an age-old pastime starts to sing its siren song to the young and young-at-heart.

“Cartoons only last a little while when there’s sparkly snow on the ground and a sled in the garage,” says Julie Ramey, community relations manager for the Bloomington Parks and Recre-ation department, “especially the first snow of the year, when there’s still novelty—sledding remains a popular pastime.”

While local authorities note that everyone has their own favorite place to sled, certain spots around Bloomington and Bedford are perennial favorites, they say.

Even when snowy weather closes schools in monroe County, parents and children still flock to Tri-North middle School to sled on a “pretty signif-icant hill” near it, Ramey says, adding, however, that the park department does not specifically promote or endorse sledding in that or any other

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PICS | Jeremy Hogan(Right) Mother and daughter sled on an embankment at Edgewood High School after a 2010 winter snowfall (Below) Sledders race down an ice covered hill at Edgewood High School after a 2010 winter storm

PIC | Garet CobbJackie French send snow flying on a trip down the 12th Green slope at Otis Park last winter

area. Still, she says, from her experience Tri-North seems to be “the place to go.”

other hot spots, she says, in-clude Southeast Park and the Rev. Ernest D. Butler Park, which she says has a “won-

derful little hill that slopes down from where the restroom building is, a gentle enough slope that it’s not scary but steep enough that it is fun.” People also often visit Bryan Park to pull children around on sleds or slide down gentle inclines found throughout the park, she says.

Closer to Bedford, most people have their own favorite places to go on local farms, according to Gary Dorsett, recre-ation director for the Bedford Parks and Recreation department. The Otis Park Golf Course has long been a popular place to sled, though over the years the course

has sustained some damage. Wilson Park also has a few small hills, he says, and in years past an area near the now-closed Avoka Fish Hatchery—located about one mile north of Oolitic—was a popular destination.

Whether you are checking out one of the popular destinations or a secret spot, Ramey and Dorsett

both urged caution. Always be aware of what is at the bottom of a hill, and never attempt to sled onto a pond or any other body of water.

“Use common sense,” urges Ramey. “If you are sledding, especially if there is a steep hill, make sure you can stop safely and won’t go into a tree or a road or a parked car or people.”

While Dorsett remembers children

using objects like metal car hoods as sleds when he was young and Ramey talks about people sliding on cafeteria lunch trays, both say it is safest to stick to real sleds, and to use them as they are intended.

But as long as you take those few precautions—and be sure to bundle up against the elements—sledding is a fantastic way to get a cardiovascular workout in winter, Ramey and Dorsett agree.

“It’s a great way to use the parks in the winter time: get out, stretch your legs, get some fresh air,” Ramey says. “And it makes you happy. Sledding just makes you happy.”

And, she says, it’s an activity for people of all ages, from “0 to 99.”

“Snow brings out the kid in all of us,” she says.

23

24

TeAm TimeAll eyes on the ball for adult volleyball program

There’s nothing like a rousing game of volleyball to drive away the winter blues. At Twin Lakes Recreational Center, sports/facility coordinator Jeigh Hockersmith welcomes all levels of sign-ups for adult volleyball.

“Our games are very recre-ational,” she emphasizes. “most of the teams that come out are doing it just to have fun and remain active during the cold winter months. Our skill levels range from beginner to former players, and we have par-ticipants that fall everywhere in between both extremes. New-comers have no reason to be intimidated as this is a very fun, accepting group of athletes.”

Adult volleyball at Twin Lakes is coed, with at least two women on the court at all times to ensure that the

males won’t tend to aggres-sively overwhelm the female players. “We don’t have guys shoving the women aside; they all definitely play as a team,” Jeigh emphasizes. Games are also self-officiated, which keeps costs down.

Twin Lakes offers three

leagues that have individual styles.

“Division One is our most competitive group,” Jeigh explains. “Then there’s Divi-sion Two, which is somewhat competitive but they’re in it for the fun as well. Division Three is mainly recreational.”

Jeigh invites anyone who is considering signing up for adult volleyball to drop by Twin Lakes Recreation Center on Thursday nights to stroll around and watch as the three divisions meet to play on three different courts. Aspiring players can then judge which of the three divisions will be right for them.

If would-be players are new to the area and don’t have a team already in mind, Jeigh can sign them up individually. Each time she gets six new sign-ups she will start a new house team in one of the divisions. (If a new house team fails to materialize due to an insufficient number of sign-ups, all application costs are, of course, refunded.)

There is no formal practice, although teams can certainly secure a court for practice if they want to do so.

“A match is three games,”

Jeigh says. “We use rally points, like in high schools and college. The first two games are scored to 25 points while the third game is scored to 15 points. Everyone is guaranteed eight games per season, plus the final tournament.”

Jeigh takes care to ensure that the experience of adult volleyball is a fun and enter-taining one that satisfies all

participants. At the end of each season Twin Lakes conducts a tournament for each division. Each division champion will win a commemorative T-shirt.

Jeigh sums up: “For me per-sonally, seeing the same teams coming back year after year means we’re doing something right. And when we get new teams signing up, that means that they’ve heard good things about the program.”

The next registration dead-line at Twin Lakes Recreation Center will be Jan. 10, with the season beginning on Jan. 16. Cost: $175 for the team, with individual registration of $30. To sign up, contact Jeigh Hockersmith at 812-349-3774 or hockersj@bloomington.in.gov.

WORDS | Carrol Krause

PICS | Darryl Smith

Thursday nights at Twin Lakes Recreation Center heat up with volleyball

25

TOOL kITPlay Safe, Play Smart

How to recognize, treat and prevent hypothermiaBy Kathryn S. Gardiner

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The human machine is meant to be a cozy 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, and it only takes the loss of a few degrees to cause its gears, joints and pumps a lot of trouble. Symptoms of hypothermia begin when the body’s core temperature drops to 95 Fahrenheit or cooler. Exposure to even moderate temperatures or cold water can cause symptoms of hypothermia—and it gets way colder than moderate in Indiana.

SyMPTOMS *MILDShiveringFaster breathingTrouble speakingConfusionLack of coordinationFatigueIncreased heart rateHigh blood pressure

MODERATE TO EXTREMEConfusion or difficulty thinkingPoor decision making, such as trying to remove warm clothesDrowsiness or very low energyApathy or lack of concern about one’s conditionProgressive loss of consciousness Weak pulseSlow, shallow breathing

Note: A person with hypothermia is often unaware of the seriousness of his or her condition because cognitive processing is impaired.

TREATMENTIf you notice these symptoms in a companion, they may require professional medical care, but here are some first-aid tips to lend them aide immediately.

• Be gentle. Do not rub or vigorously move the person. This can cause injury or trigger cardiac arrest.

• Get inside, if possible.• Remove any wet clothing.• Cover with blankets or layers of coats.• Separate person from the cold ground. Place your

companion on his or her back on top of a blanket, coat or other warm surface.

• Share body heat. Just like in the movies—remove your clothing to make skin-to-skin contact with your companion and cover both of you with coats or blankets.

• Provide warm, nonalcoholic beverages• Use warm, dry compresses on the neck, chest or

groin. Do not apply compresses to the limbs as this forces cold blood back to the heart and can be dangerous.

• Do not apply direct heat. Avoid the use of hot water, heating pads or heating laps—extreme heat can damage the skin or even cause dangerously irregular heartbeats and death.

PREVENTION• Bundle up. Dress properly for the weather

with hats and scarves, and remember that mittens are better than gloves for the cold. Mittens allow your fingers to be in contact and keep each other warm.

• Layer up. Wear several layers, often of different fabrics, to protect yourself from the elements.

• Avoid cotton. Cotton holds onto sweat and dampness, then keeps that chilled against your body. Wear wicking fabrics that will not absorb sweat. This is especially important if you will be active outdoors in cold temperatures.

• Stay dry. Wet makes everything worse and can accelerate the symptoms of hypothermia. Pay close attention to hands and feet as snow can dampen gloves, mittens, socks and shoes.

• Avoid alcohol. The reason drinking makes you feel warmer is because it causes your blood to rush to your skin—and away from your core where you need it.

Keep winter a wonderland by heeding these signs, preparing, and playing smart to help your body operate at its best.

*From mayoclinic.com

26

DecemBer 1-24Santa’s Zip N Sip

Where: eXplore Brown County at Valley Branch Retreat

Info: Ho Ho Ho Santa is here to zip with your family. The terrain looks so different in winter—the vista opens and you can

see for miles. Perhaps you will even catch a few snowflakes as you soar 90 feet in the air across the frozen lake. Santa will

investigate with you the winter life of the forest. Who is sleeping the winter away and who is up foraging the woods? Take photos with Santa, sit on his lap and tell him what you’re dreaming of for the holidays. Santa will end the tour with a cup of hot cocoa in

the nice warm Harvest Hall. Don’t forget the marshmallows! (812) 988-7750 www.explorebrowncounty.com

DecemBer 9 – 31Half-Price Holiday Court RatesWhere: IU Tennis Center, BloomingtonInfo: iutc@indiana.edu, (812) 855-5750

www.indiana.edu/~tnscntr

DecemBer 14-15, 21-22, 28-29“Hoppy” Holidays

Where: Holler Hoppin’ Zip Lines at the Rawhide Ranch

Info: Every weekend through the holiday season we’re getting festive ... in typical Holler Hoppin’ fashion, of course. We’re

open all year around—rain, sleet, or snow, we still go! Why walk through a winter wonderland when you can zip? $30 per

person. Call for reservations at 812-988-0085, www.teameffectinc.com.

DecemBer 14Projected opening day

Where: Paoli PeaksInfo: www.paolipeaks.com

DecemBer 15Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis

5K and 10K Where: Bankers Life Fieldhouse,

IndianapolisInfo: Bells will be ringing as 3,500 people

tie jingle bells to their shoelaces, don festive holiday costumes and join friends and neighbors in support of the Arthritis

Foundation’s mission to improve lives through leadership in the prevention, control

and cure of arthritis and related diseases. www.mag7raceseries.com

Santa Hustle 5K and Half MarathonWhere: White River State Park, IndianapolisInfo: Be a part of one of the largest growing races as thousands of Santas hit the streets.

Every participant will receive a free Santa hat, beard, and customized Santa dri-fit shirt

to wear while running. With outrageous holiday decorations, festive music, and a

large afterparty! www.mag7raceseries.com

DecemBer 21Blooming Fools Hash

House HarriersWhere: Start location to be determined;

visit bfh3.com a couple of days before the hash for specifics.

Info: Bi-weekly, three- to four-mile noncompetitive trail run/walk/amble

across the worst terrain imaginable in and around Monroe County. A ceremony follows the end of every trail, including

songs, rituals, other silliness. Over 21s only, please: adult beverages available before, during and after trail (it’s not called the

“drinking club with a running problem” for nothing). All fitness levels invited—we

have all paces represented, from walkers to ultramarathoners. Trail starts at 3 p.m., ends

~ 6 p.m.(?); first-timers are free. For more information on the Blooming Fools, visit

www.bfh3.com or email jbranigin@gmail.com.

DecemBer 31New Year’s Tubing Special

Where: Paoli PeaksInfo: Spend your New Year’s Eve doing

something fun. Starting at 8 p.m., groups of four get in for just $50! Bring your friends,

bring your family, and start the New Year off right. www.paolipeaks.com

Splash Into New Year’sWhere: Big Splash Indoor Waterpark &

Resort, French LickInfo: Ring in the new year at either of our two celebrations intended for families of

all ages. Food, prizes, and entertainment as one year ends and another begins. Call to

make reservations today! www.bigsplashadventure.com,

877-936-3866

JanUary 1Indoor Leagues Start

Where: White River BowhuntersInfo: www.whiteriverbowhunters.com,

812-277-0187

College Night #1Where: Paoli Peaks

Info: Save big bucks by attending one or all of our College Nights on Thursday nights

from 3 p.m.-9 p.m. Lift tickets just $16. Get a lift and rental package for just $30 and a beginner group lesson is just a $10 add

on. To receive the discount, all you need to bring with you is a valid student and photo

ID. www.paolipeaks.com

JanUary 6 – JanUary 10College Week

Where: Paoli PeaksInfo: Great discounts for college student

who show their valid student ID at the ticket windows. Lift tickets are just $25! Get a lift and rental package for $40 and don’t forget to add a beginner group lesson for just $10.

www.paolipeaks.com

JanUary 18Frosty Trails 5 Mile

Where: Brown County State ParkInfo: Challenging 5.2-mile trail run (or walk

if you like) on scenic trails. After the run join us in the shelter house for a warm

fire, warm food, warm drinks, and best of all, warm friends sharing tails of the trails.

Contact Bill Bartley, 317-340-7506. www.inrunco.com

JanUary 19The Frigid: Rogaine RaceWhere: eXplore Brown County

Info: A rogaine is a race in which participants use a map and compass to locate

checkpoints. 4-hour rogaine in the dead of winter, free navigation clinic (Jan. 18),

registration $35. Each person must carry at all times: whistle, hydration, long-sleeve top and light. Each team/solo must carry at all

times: race number on back, compass, map, fully charged cellphone, emergency space blanket. www.explorebrowncounty.com

JanUary 19 – JanUary 20Old School Midnight Madness

Where: Paoli PeaksInfo: Jan. 19, Paoli Peaks will be open from

9 a.m.-11 p.m. At 11 p.m., we close the slopes and spend an hour grooming the trails. At 11:59 p.m., we open the slopes back up for a very late night of skiing and

snowboarding. $21 lift and $35 for lift with rental—ages 7 to adult. Those who

purchased a ticket prior to 11 p.m. can upgrade their ticket for just $10 and join the

rest of us. www.paolipeaks.com

JanUary 31“Big Air” Terrain Park Event

Where: Paoli PeaksInfo: The Midwest’s best compete for prizes

in The Session Big Ski & Snowboarding Air Comp in the Powerline Terrain Park. Registration required. 812-723-4696,

www.paolipeaks.com.

FeBrUary 2Girl Scouts DayWhere: Paoli Peaks

Info: Bring your troop and your family and join us for a memorable day on the slopes. Start your morning off with a lesson. The

rest of the day is yours to free ski with your family and fellow girl scouts. $35 package

includes lift ticket, rental, 1 hour group lesson, and a patch (for Girl Scouts only).

A group requirement of 15+ is waived, but reservations required.

Call 812-723-4696 ext. 236 or email groupsales@paolipeaks.com.

www.paolipeaks.com

FeBrUary 8 – 9Tri-State Gun Show

Where: 1100 N. Shelby Street, SalemInfo: www.tri-stategunshows.com,

812-521-9367.See ad on page 9 for additional dates

FeBrUary 22 – 23Boy Scout Jamboree

Where: Paoli PeaksInfo: A low price of $45 per person includes

a lift ticket for Saturday midnight and Sunday all day, rental equipment, and a hot dog roast Saturday night. Boy Scout Jamboree is a Scout program that does

require a group reservation and a minimum of 10 paying participants. Learn all you need

to know about the Jamboree at www.paolipeaks.com/scouts.html

RUN LONGJUMP HIGHPLAy HARDGET SWEATyAIM STEADyBREAk AWAy

Go. Do.

CALENDAR OF EvENTS

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page? Email info to adventure@

hoosiertimes.com

27

Burn it(It’s printed on post-consumer newsprint

and is safe for use as kindling)

Wrap it(The soy-based inks make it safe

for food—a true fish wrapper)

Crumple it(Balled-up newsprint absorbs

odor from smelly shoes)

Pack it(It’s backpack-sized for emergency use

as a wick, sieve or napkin)

Recycle it(Send it to a recycler for future re-use)

RUN LONGJUMP HIGHPLAy HARDGET SWEATyAIM STEADyBREAk AWAy

dOnE REadInG.nOW WHaT?

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