After 19 years of service, Orange County REMC Materials Manager Larry is ready for a new chapter. He also held the job of Staking Engineer at the co-op and played the role of ambassador to the community each year at the REMC’s annual meeting.

Larry will miss working with REMC members, whether on the phone or in person answering their questions. He thanks the employees for all their support throughout the years. “The employees are truly wonderful people who work for a wonderful company. I want to wish them all a wonderful career with the REMC,” Larry said.

Orange County REMC General Manager/CEO Matt Deaton had high praise for Larry.

“I congratulate Larry and wish him the best as he transitions into retired life,” Deaton said. “Larry has enjoyed a very successful career with the Cooperative and he leaves the co-op better than when he got here.  Larry will certainly be missed, as he is the guy that can, and will do anything to benefit the members. It’s going to be a challenge to find someone with the skill-set and attitude he brings to the job each day. Some days you could find him shoveling snow-covered sidewalks before his shift began, to ensure our members could safely get into our office. Or you might find him in meetings to discuss inventory control changes, and how to reduce our inventory by 25%… and then figuring out how we are going to store and account for the material needed for a $30M fiber-to-home project, without adding a square foot of space. What I have enjoyed the most about working with Larry is his ability to get the job done, no matter what it takes, while at the same time, never taking credit for all that work getting done.  Larry is that person every good company, team, or business need, but few people are willing to be.”

During his retirement, Larry is looking forward to traveling around the world with his wife Leticia. They plan on visiting family, spending time with his children Randall and Nicole, along with eight grandchildren. Pinnick has a small mowing business to keep him busy in his down time.

“I am very blessed to have a wonderful wife and kids that followed me around the world for 21 years while I was in the military and supported me for 19 years while working at the REMC. Life has been very good to me,” commented Larry.

The board of directors, management and employees appreciate his dedication to the cooperative and its members and wish him the best in his retirement.

The Smedley Scholarship Trust Fund committee announced that the annual open horse show will be held May 5 at the newly rebuilt Washington County Fairgrounds Horse Arena beginning at 11 am.  

The show features a variety of classes for adults and youth, including halter, showmanship, equitation, walk-trot, trail, country pleasure, western pleasure, as well as reining and freestyle reining.   There are three added money classes.

This year, there will again  be three schooling classes: showmanship, horsemanship, and trail. Schooling classes are not judged but offer competitors the opportunity to practice the event in the show pen prior to exhibiting to the judge. Showmanship schooling will begin at 9 a.m., prior to the show.

Food will be available as well as ice cream.

The 33rd annual show is the only fundraiser for the scholarship fund, which benefits Washington County college students who are pursuing a career in equine related studies. This includes veterinary studies, equine business, horse training, horse shoeing, etc.  

A Smedley scholarship is renewable for the entire time the student is enrolled in equine studies. Many Washington County youth have benefited from the program.

The fund also provides grants to younger horsemen who are attending horse clinics or horsemanship camps.

For a full show bill or information about sponsoring a class at the show, call 812-883-6760 or 812-883-6442. Sponsors receive recognition at the show, on the show bill, on social media, and in the newspaper following the show.

Typically, the show lasts from 11-4 and attracts horsemen from all over southern Indiana and northern Kentucky.

Students wishing to apply for a Smedley scholarship should call 812-883-6760 for an application.

5K COLOR RUN TO BENEFIT RELAY FOR LIFE ON MAY 11 AT WALMART

WSLM RADIO and WALMART are partnering to hold the second annual Charlotte Martin 5K COLORS FOR CANCER run/walk on Saturday, May 11 at 9a at the Walmart in Salem.

The event will benefit Relay For Life and the fight against cancer. Registration begins at 8a.

The event will all all cancer victims and survivors and is named in honor of WSLM 1220 AM and WSLM 97.9 FM owner Rebecca White’s mother, the late Charlotte Martin who died from cancer in 1986.

“Mom passed away on Valentine’s Day 1986 after fighting breast cancer for several years,” said White. “She passed away on the day WSLM celebrates its birthday so every year that’s a bittersweet day for me,” said White. “This is a great way to honor her memory and continue the fight against cancer.”

Brad Gilbert, Human Resources Manager of the Salem Walmart said the Salem Walmart is proud to be partnering with WSLM in this fight against cancer.

“We look forward to showing our support for all participants in this event,” said Gilbert. “Our hope is that with its success, there will be support of those currently fighting and fond memories of those we have lost to the battle.”

“What is more fun in the spring than to see lots of bold and exciting colors?” asked White. “You’ll get spread colored powder (which is 100 percent safe) on your clothing, hair and anything else you are running with, including each other.”

The 3.1 mile (5k) walk/run will begin at Walmart of Salem and continue west and turning left on Jim Day Road and then turning around and back to the Walmart parking lot.

” We at Walmart could not be more honored than to be able to partner with Becky and WSLM in their Colors for Cancer 5k to raise money and awareness in the Fight Against Cancer. I also , as most of us can say , have been dramatically affected by this terrible disease. One of the people who first believed in me was my grandmother , Ruth King , who we lost way too soon. Please join Becky, myself ,  and Team Walmart for this inaugural event. Hope to see you there!” Mike King, Salem Walmart Store Manager.

“We are working with Pacers and Racers to help provide technical expertise with our event to ensure that any of those who want to participate will be professionally managed and measured for accuracy,” White said.

New this year, because often during this time people have so many other activities going on, there will be a Virtual Race option.

“All you have to do is register for the race and download the course via this link via MapMyRun  https://www.mapmyrun.com/routes/view/2467197652 then walk/run the course anytime between May 1 and May 10,” said White. “Then take a selfie and post it to WSLM Radio’s or Walmart’s Facebook page with the hashtag #COLORSFORCANCERSALEM.”

The morning of the race, there will be a selfie station so all those participating on the day of the race can post their pictures, too. “Then everyone can be part of the fun,” said White.

Pre-race and virtual race registration is now open at Walmart of Salem and at WSLM Radio, 1308 East Hackberry Street, Salem.

Registration is $30 and includes a t-shirt and a bag of paint powder to get you started in the fun. Children 10 and under are free with a paying/attending adult.

Additional t-shirts can be purchased and additional baggies of paint and other paint-throwing accessories will be available for purchase the day of the race, while supplies last.

Registration and arrival for the race is 8a near the Garden Center at Walmart. The race begins at 9a.