Thursday, August 21, 2025 Issue #149

From Dubois County

Hey Reader,

I have had many interesting experiences at Walmart. So many so that I readily approach trips through the aisles with open eyes and ears.

Seeking out some needed medicines, pain reliever and decongestant (nondrowsy) today proved to be another such experience.

Wandering through the drug aisle at Walmart is a bewildering experience in and of itself, but when you have a specific set of items in mind to locate and a limited amount of time to do so, it can become a Sisyphean task.

Seemingly finding the right aisle, I rounded the corner to nearly collide with two ladies standing together, carts side-by-side, seemingly chatting in front of the area where I thought I might find what I was looking for.

“Oh, excuse me,” I said, looking behind one of the women at the shelf with the items I was seeking.

Neither moved out of the way, and though I saw what looked to be the generally correct items among the cacophony of labeled bottles, I thought I would go look in the other aisles for what I needed so they could finish their conversation.

I wandered through three aisles before deciding enough time had passed for me to return to the appropriate aisle but when I rounded the corner, they were still there.

I excused myself again like a good Midwesterner and, with some resolve, decided to slide between their two carts, scanning the shelf I needed to get to. Right then, the conversation apparently ended as one of the two started to leave.

The other looked at me, smiled and handed me something. Looking down at what she had given me, I found a little Jesus-like figurine with arms outstretched and the words “Jesus loves you” across its chest.

And then she started walking away.

I said thanks, and she smiled back at me, saying she gave them away all the time.

In a war with my journalistic side wanting to hear her story and the ticking of the deadline to get back to the office and finish the newsletter, I simply asked where she got them. (what a dumb question)

“Oh, my daughter orders them online,” and then she pushed her cart into the store.

Interesting moment.

How do I assess this? As a Christian, I see it as a lovely gesture, but I have to ask, why did she give me this gift?

What in my countenance inspired her to hand me the figurine?

And then walk away.

No rules, no condemnation, no clarifying statements. Just a little figurine.

It was enough for me to mark this moment of kindness at the very least.

And as I scanned the shelf where I thought the items were, I realized it was the wrong shelf. Both items were a few feet further into the aisle, in an area empty of conversing ladies the whole time.

Thank you again.

From Dubois County with love.

Matthew and Amy Crane

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​Habitat for Humanity announces next Dubois County partner family​

​Jasper Downtown Revitalization Project progress update​

​Dubois County Prosecuting Attorney outlines recent drug cases​

​Jasper Common Council August meeting​

​Holland Fest pageant seeking registrants​

​Southeast Dubois School Corporation and Ferdinand Library host “The Connected Community – Thriving in a Digital World”​

​Southeast Dubois School Corporation and Ferdinand Library host “The Connected Community – Thriving in a Digital World”​

​Holland Fest pageant seeking registrants​

​August Daughters of Isabella Jasper Circle #140 meeting minutes​

We have a community calendar full of great activities and events happening in Dubois County.

If you have an upcoming event you'd like the public to know about, please add it to our calendar.

​See it here.​

​Diana Byrne, 90, Jasper​

​Siebert’s Clothing seeking Tailor​

​Huntingburg Housing Authority hiring for Maintenance​

​Indiana Furniture hiring for Production​

Check out all the job opportunities by clicking here: Employment​

Contact Amy at amy@duboiscountyfreepress.com or 812-639-9650 if you would like to list openings on our website.​

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