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Record-breaking tournament to benefit veterans and the Indiana War Memorials Foundation

INDIANAPOLIS — The grounds of the America Legion Mall in downtown Indianapolis will be the site of the largest single-day cornhole tournament in the country. The first Indy Cornhole Classic: Throwing for Veterans will take place on August 19 from 2 to 6 p.m., and organizers are inviting cornhole enthusiasts from across the state to participate.

“Right now, the current record for a single-day cornhole tournament is held by the Iowa State Fair,” said Blaine Zimmerman, president and CEO of INVets and Indiana War Memorial Foundation board member. “We are welcoming all players, no matter their skill level, to come out and play in support of a great cause. We would love to see a huge event.”

Presented by INVets and the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA), proceeds from the event will benefit the Indiana War Memorials Foundation. These funds help support, maintain, and program the many monuments and memorials that honor veterans.

“The best part of this tournament is that participation makes a direct, positive impact on the lives of our veterans and their families,” said Brig. Gen. J. Stewart Goodwin USAF, Ret., Executive Director of the Indiana War Memorials Commission. “The funds raised here will go a long way in supporting and maintaining the beautiful monuments and memorials that pay tribute to the brave men and women who've served our nation over the years.”

Every level of cornhole player, from competitive to recreational, will have an opportunity to compete for prizes. Cash prizes will be awarded to cornholers who play at the competitive level. Recreational cornhole players can vie for an array of donated prizes. The entrance fee is $70 for the competitive level and $40 for the recreational. Players can compete at the competitive or recreational level, but not both. At least one person from each team must pre-register on the free Scoreholio app after tickets have been purchased through Eventbrite.

In addition to the cornhole tournament, there will be a family-friendly festival in Veterans Memorial Plaza with free games and activities and a “mess hall” on North Street that will have food trucks, a silent auction, and adult-beverage vendors. Attending the festival is free.

The Indiana War Memorial Museum, located at 55 E. Michigan Street, will also be open to the public 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. This free 30,000 square-foot museum boasts three floors of beautiful exhibits, with interior and exterior designed to honor and remember Indiana’s veterans. Learn more here.

“The National Guard is bringing their inflatable obstacle course which is fun for everybody. People will be able to play cornhole against Rowdie the mascot for the Indianapolis Indians and Sting Ray Robb, a rookie IndyCar driver. People can meet them and get their autographs,” said Zimmerman.

The Indy Cornhole Classic is managed by Custom Cornhole, an organization that has organized more than 1,500 tournaments in 17 years.

The event is outdoors with a rain date of August 20.

To purchase tickets from Eventbrite go to www.eventbrite.com/e/indy-cornhole-classic-tickets-568253630907

To get more information and to register go to www.in.gov/dva/home/indy-cornhole-classic/

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About INVets

Partnering with veterans, their families, and Indiana communities to facilitate a meaningful transition to civilian life while strengthening Indiana’s economy.

About the Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA)

The Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) is a state agency dedicated to serving. Its mission is to Support, Serve, and Advocate for the Indiana Veteran Community. IDVA aims to create a state where veterans Live, Work and Thrive. For more information about IDVA and its services, visit in.gov/dva.

About the Indiana War Memorials Foundation

The Indiana War Memorials Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides financial support for the museum, memorials, monuments, and parks that the Commission manages and operates. Together, we honor the valor, history, and sacrifice of Hoosier veterans. The museum collections, memorials, monuments, and parks allow us to share the stories of the heroic service men and women so that future generations can learn, honor, and be inspired by them.

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The Washington County Family YMCA is pleased to share the wonderful news that First Harrison Bank has generously pledged $50,000 toward the YMCA's Beth Armstrong- Y For All Capital Campaign. This significant contribution brings the YMCA closer to its goal of $4 million, which will be used to fund the construction of a new childcare and family recreation center in our community.

“First Harrison Bank is proud to announce a $50,000 commitment to the Washington County Family YMCA capital campaign. This investment underscores our bank’s dedication to supporting the YMCA’s mission of strengthening our community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility” said Joe Mahuron, Chief Credit Officer and Executive Vice President. “We are confident that the YMCA’s capital campaign will have a lasting positive impact on Washington County, and we are honored to play a role in its success.”

The Beth Armstrong- Y For All Capital Campaign is a two-phase project aimed at addressing critical needs in Washington County. The first phase will focus on creating an indoor recreation space where youth and adults can develop their mental and physical health, enhance social interaction, and participate in more family activities. The second phase will establish a childcare center for children from birth to 3 years old, addressing the urgent need for quality childcare in our community.

“We are incredibly grateful for First Harrison Bank's generous pledge,” said Kristy Purlee, CEO of the Washington County Family YMCA. “Their support is a testament to their commitment to our community's wellbeing. This donation will make a significant impact on our ability to provide vital services and programs to children, families, and individuals in Washington County.”

The YMCA's current fundraising total stands at $1.2 million, thanks to the support of local businesses, organizations, and individual donors. Every contribution, big or small, helps us move closer to our goal and ensures that we can continue to serve our community effectively.

The YMCA Board of Directors and Capital Committee are committed to building each phase of the project as funds are raised, ensuring that the new facilities are constructed efficiently and sustainably. The timeline for the build is still being finalized, but the enthusiasm and support from our community have been overwhelming.

For more information on how you can support the Beth Armstrong- Y For All Capital Campaign, please contact Kristy Purlee at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 812-883-9622. Together, we can build a brighter future for our community.

About Washington County Family YMCA: The Washington County Family YMCA is dedicated to strengthening community through youth development, healthy living, and social responsibility. We provide a range of programs and services that promote holistic health and wellbeing for individuals and families in Washington County. All are welcome regardless of age, gender, background, or ability to pay.

Contact: Kristy Purlee CEO, Washington County Family YMCA This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 812-883-9622.

Employees of First Harrison Bank and YMCA Staff and Volunteers Pictured
L to R: Front: Kristy Purlee, Marcy Nance, Kim Misamore, Cynthia Winkler, Cindi Walker, Jamie Richardson, Joshua Stevens, Back row: Joe Mahuron, Stevie Motsinger, Chris Frederick, John Roberts, Rusty Hudson, Jeff Feist, Keith Barr

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Fellow firefighters and EMS professionals,

In the third installment of our video series “When the Smoke Clears,” our panel discusses what services and organizations are available to help first responders deal with the mental toll of doing the job and serving the public. As I’ve said before, first responders see things in the course of their duties that people typically are not prepared to see. It’s difficult. It can have serious and long-lasting effects on our personal mental health, family interactions and how we deal with relationships in the firehouse. From online services and the 988 telephone service to peer support groups and employee assistance plans, a multitude of services exist to help public safety personnel process the job and find a way to release the stressors it brings.

Recent legislation requires mandatory, annual education on suicide prevention for firefighters. This program is being developed as we speak, but current services are out there when people need them. The information is available at your firehouse or online through the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.

Most importantly, ask for help if you need it or if you see a teammate who needs intervention. It is not a weakness; it is a show of strength for you to be the best first responder you can be. The safety of your community depends on you being at your best and fit for the job. It is important to take that first step to help yourself and help your department.

Stay safe and healthy.

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Thanks to the generous donors to Washington County Community Foundation, a $2,500 grant was awarded to Junior Achievement. This grant will help provide funding for Washington County students to participate in JA Our City, Our Community, Our Region, BizTown, and Finance Park. Thank you, donors!

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By: Jerry Curry, Staff Writer

The History Channel is presently running their acclaimed survival series called “Alone”. In this Season 11, ten people are dropped off in the unforgiving Artic Circle. The drop off point is in the McKenzie Delta in Canada. Temperatures can range from 40 degrees to -20.

The prize for the last one standing is $500,000.

Salem’s own Timothy “Timber” Cleghorn was one of the contestants. He picked ten items to take with him with no provisions. All alone, no backup people with him. The ten items he took with him included a sleeping bag, 2-quart pot, ferro rod (fire starter), axe, saw, modified multitool, bow with nine arrows, paracord, snare wire and fishing line with twenty-five hooks.

The History Channel staff gave each contestant five cameras, a tripod and 30 lbs. of batteries to film their adventure. There was no safety staff at all with the participants to save them from dying-- at best it would take 45 minutes for anybody to get to them.

Each of the ten contestants had a designated territory to stay in, and the History Channel had the area marked electronically with a Go Fence.

It so happens that Timber’s area had no eatable roots or berries. He survived on squirrel, pike fish and whatever else he could hunt. In the beginning of the season, Cleghorn shows the skinning method he learned to use on squirrels.

Timber said, “Pike fish was the nastiest thing I ever ate.” He said it was best boiled in the pot to avoid losing its caloric value. Pike are plentiful in the area and several of the other contestants caught and ate them.

His favorite drink was tea made from the Labrador bush. All water had to be boiled.

Some things were off the menu, like grizzly bears, Pine Martins, and Caribou. The Caribou is a source of food for the indigenous tribes living in the northwest area. Contestants were allowed to kill one beaver and one muskrat. This was done as a courtesy and balance of nature for the natives. The channel had to get permission from the Gwich’in tribal council to be there.

Passports were a must. This was not a problem for Timber due to his work as a traveling humanitarian aid worker. “To Tapout,” as it is called to quit, is made with a satellite phone.

How did he get on the show? Coming back to the United States after working in another country, he applied for the show. Basically, through four months of auditions, he was chosen to be on the show.

Cleghorn has been training all his life for his adventure. His father moved the family of 11 to rural Salem when he was seven years old. The family lived off the grid in Twin Creek Bottoms with no electricity. They plowed nine acres of the 128 acres with a horse.

Before milking the cows, Timber would set a trap lines. The cows provided milk, cheese, yogurt, and other dairy products.

He was home schooled. His sister had a car, and he had $500, so they headed to school. He later graduated from The Linguistic Center near Fort Worth.

He worked his way through school building fences. That’s where he met his wife, Cara. They have been married for 14 years. Both shared common interests. They now have two boys, Levi and Elliot, and they are expecting a baby girl in late September. The family now lives near John Hay Lake and have electricity and fiber optics for the computer. The children go to Bradie Shrum Elementary School in Salem.

He describes himself as survivalist, wildman, free thinker, humanitarian aid worker and follower of Jesus.

The series can be watched one of two ways. The History Channel on Thursday or the History Channel app on Friday. The show is up to Episode 5. The History Channel doesn’t mention it, but mice and mosquitoes are a problem and very plentiful .

Timber made the largest kill of all contestants--a 1200 lb. moose. He slaughtered the moose and dressed it out. He dug out a cool spot to store the meat and smoked some of it. The meat had to be protected from all animals in the area. Traveling were wolf packs that howled all night and kept him awake. The only problem he had is a nose bleed.

When asked what else would have taken if he could, he replied, “A salt block to help with hydration.”

The group figured out that the issued GoPro cameras could provide light.

Cleghorn has traveled all over the world and, if he plans on being gone over a year and no danger exists, the family comes along.

Special permission for this interview was obtained from The History Channels’ Kirby Dixon, and photo credits to Brendan Ko Georg.

Be sure to catch Episode 6 and cheer Timber on!