Issue 1228

June 27, 2023

Three Generations of Racers

Photos above and below L-R: Jeff Siebert, grandnephew Britton Siebert and nephew Ryan Siebert talked about river conditions before the race. Jeff finished first in solo biathlon (kayak) with a time of 2:32:37 and placed fourth overall in the biathlon. Britton and Ryan finished first in the men’s division of the two-person biathlon with a combined time of 5:22:13.

Serious racers, who practice in advance, judge the river’s level, the current’s speed and the water’s turbulence. Local racer Jeff Siebert told fellow racers to watch the water between a high cliff and a beach area before the championship race finish line. He said that water conditions on that section of river could overturn the canoe of even an experienced paddler.

In fact, one of the Josefik canoe teams did overturn in that area when they hit a partially submerged tree. They had to maneuver their racing canoe to shore, empty out the water and climb back in. They were far enough ahead that they still won the C-2 championship trophy. 

For some youngsters in the canoe races, it is exciting to be on the river and going forward, not backward or sideways. Getting wet, falling in, losing a paddle and retrieving it are all part of the adventure.

The water was clear enough to see rocks, fish and the river bottom in many places along the racecourse. Water levels were low this year at Eagle Beach where the recreational races started. In the first 500 feet there were two small riffles, not big enough to be rapids. But the riffles and the low water caused several paddlers to flip over, get stuck on gravel, or spin around. For a few groups of canoers, it appeared they were in a new type of biathlon event in which the paddlers ran alongside the canoe. They got back in their canoes in deeper water. Paddlers also had to steer around tree trunks stuck in the riverbed like wooden statues.

There were people who tried canoe racing for the first time. They paddled rented canoes from Morgan’s Canoes for the race. There were also local people who compete each year including the Sieberts, the Lannings and a big group from Brookville’s Troop 304 of St. George, who were led by Matt Glasshagel. Canoe enthusiasts traveled from as far away as Idaho, Illinois and Virginia.

Photo below. Terry Sintz of Brookville and Mark Couch of Connersville took an early lead in the three-mile recreational race and held on to capture first place with a time of just under 37 minutes. Mr. Sintz has won this race many times over the years. Mr. Couch is pictured holding the trophy that they won.

The biathlon team of Monica and Bryant Balash (Oldenburg, Indiana) posted the best two-person time for the biathlon at just under 5 hours. Photo includes children Abbie, Maddie, Olivia and Grace in no order. 

Third Time Is The Charm

The Josefik extended family has traveled three times from Champaign, Illinois to compete in Brookville’s CanoeFest. Besides the thrill of canoe racing, they said that they also enjoy the fried chicken and the festival at Brookville American Legion.

This year, Nicholas and his 13-year-old daughter Noel Josefik posted the best overall time of 1:09:46 for the C-2 canoe division. They took home the 3-foot tall traveling championship trophy. The family regularly competes in canoe racing on the flat water of Hope Lake in Illinois and has only canoed on fast river water in Franklin County, Indiana.

Photo below L-R: Eden Josefik, Adrienne Beers, Jason Beers, Noel Josefik, Grandpa Tom Josefik and Nicholas Josefik.  

Eleven-year-old Eden Josefik and her aunt Adrienne Beers were the only entry and took first place in the woman’s division of the championship race.

Eden has canoed often with her family. She had advice for young paddlers. “The three most important things in a canoe are your partner, your life jacket and your paddle. Your partner, in the stern, will keep the boat moving and keep the boat straight. Your life jacket will stop you from drowning. We don't want that. You should be wearing your life jacket whenever you are doing any water activity. And then your paddle. Most people forget their paddle when they are stressed. You are always going to have to keep paddling forward. As you keep paddling, it will help straighten the boat out and get the boat moving. So you have a less likely chance of toppling [into the water].”

Clay Schalk (pictured) of Brookville and Pete Schalk finished in second place in the men’s’ division of the biathlon. 

Photo L-R: Raymond Bauer (2nd place) and Thomas Thomas (1st place) battled for the lead along the almost seven-mile course in the solo canoe championship race. They finished within two minutes of each other.

For more race results, go to https://runsignup.com/Race/Results/61702

Reported by Sara Duffy



“Cruising Main Street”

Main Street Brookville and FCN Bank sponsored “Cruising Main Street” on June 23, 2023. Here are photos of just some of the cars that were on display.

Dwayne and Holly Murray. 1932 Ford Roadster.

The cars were very popular with service men that returned from World War II. These cars later were available with various engines, including Chevrolet and 392 Hemi's. It was a traditional "hot rod" in its day.

Vern Litschgi. 1951 Ford Custom Coupe.

Vern has had this car for 12 years. It is a 30-year-old restoration. Five years ago, this car was featured in a movie titled "Carol" starring Cate Blanchett that was filmed in Cincinnati.

Cecil Abshear. 1930 Model A Ford Cabriolet.

Cecil said this model is extremely rare. In its day, it came from the factory with 40 horsepower. It now has a 120 horsepower motor. It will run at a speed of 75 MPH, which is much faster than the original factory car.

Reported by Bynum Henson



Repeat Winner of Brookville’s

Blazing Inferno Chicken Wings Eating Contest

Photo L-R: Craig Brown and Will Fehlinger

For a second year, Craig Brown of Connersville won the $200 grand prize at Main Street Brookville’s Blazing Inferno chicken wing eating contest on June 23, 2023. Contestants ate their way through multiple rounds of chicken wings that got spicier each time. With two people left, the competition went into a speed contest. Mr. Brown finished a portion of wings faster than runner-up Will Fehlinger of Brookville.

Reported by Sara Duffy

Photos by Karis Troyer

4-H Fair Queen & Princess Pageant

Front Row Left to Right: 2023 Franklin County 4-H Fair Miss Personality Lacey Bath, 2023 Franklin County 4-H Fair Princess Claire Schneider

Back Row Left to Right: 2023 Franklin County 4-H Fair Queen Jacoba Hensley, Miss Congeniality Madi Lake, 1st Runner Up Paityn Freese, and 2022 Franklin County 4-H Fair Queen Shelby Rosenberger 

Submitted by Molly Belmonte

St. Thomas Lutheran Church

175th Anniversary

Come! Help us celebrate 175 years for the Lutheran Congregation of Brookville, Indiana.

St. Thomas Lutheran Church invites all the community to celebrate not only our 175th year as a congregation but the fact we have been at our present location for 100 years!

Beginning on the evening of June 30, 2023 at 7:00 pm our gift to the community is a free concert by My Brother’s Keeper. My Brother’s Keeper is a well-known gospel group who will perform at St. Thomas Lutheran Church at 823 Franklin Avenue, Brookville, Indiana in our spacious auditorium.

Continuing our celebration on Sunday July 9, 2023 at the church beginning at 10:30 am will be a service led by the ELCA Bishop Dr. Wm. Gafkjen along with Pastor Ladona Webb and the choir.  

Not finished by any means, at 2:00 pm an old-fashioned hymn sing with accompaniment by Sam Schuck will be held at the Old Brick Church where we started in 1848 on 10th street. Everyone is invited to sing and enjoy ice cream from The Daily Scoop! Our former member Don “Scoop” Sintz is still missed by our members. Bring your lawn chairs to be comfortable while you socialize.



Submitted by Margaret Fain

BCEF 2023 Scholarship Recipients

The Batesville Community Education Foundation (BCEF) is pleased to announce the recipients of its 2023 scholarships to Batesville High School (BHS) graduates. These scholarship awards totaled $31,500, according to BCEF executive director Anne Wilson. Scholarship recipients are selected by a committee of individuals that consists of two BCEF board members, the BHS principal, and two community members.

BCEF’s newest scholarship is the Ron Raver Memorial Scholarship, established by his family after his passing last year. Click to continue reading.

Submitted by Anne Wilson

Click for more information about Baby Show Categories.

Submitted by Savannah Hofer



Around the County

4-H Fair Grandstand Events

July 15 - Demolition Derby

July 17 - Motocross Racing

July 19 - Tractor & Truck

July 21 & 22 - Flat Drag Race

Happy Birthday Harry Potter - July 31

Watch for more news from the Laurel Library about the celebration.

Southeast Indiana Health Center - Free Clinic

We provide No-Cost, primary care services to residents of Franklin or Ripley County, Indiana on Tuesdays at our permanent location in Batesville and on Thursdays in our mobile clinic. No appointment needed. Call 812-932-4515 for times and locations.

1st Thursday of the month Brookville

2nd Thursday Versailles

3rd Thursday Laurel

4th Thursday Milan

Submitted by Bev Metze

Farmer’s Market on Fridays

The original Brookville Farmer's Market will be open on Fridays at 3:30 pm and go until 6:30 pm or until we run out. We will be at our same location at the south end of Main Street in front of the Brookville Waterworks and across from Grooming Girls Pet Salon. Hope to see you there!

Submitted by Elaine Dorrel

Soccer Sign-ups

Attention parents! It's time to register your player(s) for the Fall Soccer season! We are opening up registration early this year so we have more time to organize teams and assign coaches.  Registration is open and will close on July 22. League play starts on August 19.  Go to www.fcjsl.com. Use your parent account from last year. If you are new, create a new account. Questions: Contact Ken Schuster (kenschuster@atrdistributing.com or Kathy O'Bryan

(kathyobryan1@gmail.com).

Attention all Soccer Players - ages 7 - 18

Gather a team of players together and register for a day of Soccer Fun at the Laketown 3 v 3 Tournament.

When: July 22, 2023 Where: FCHS Soccer Fields

Cost: $30 a player $120 per team

Register:  www.fcjsl.com  Registration is open until June 24, 2023. Questions: Contact Brian Meyers (bmeyers94@yahoo.com)

Submitted by Kathy O'Bryan

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Our volunteer staff writers are all Franklin County residents who are committed to factual, impartial news reporting.

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