Wednesday, August 19, 2026 Issue #353

From Dubois County

Hey, Reader,

Today's been a rather busy day with interviews and other meetings, so I haven't had a lot of time to publish stories. We'll catch up tomorrow. But I did want to share something my son wrote us recently. I hope you enjoy.

Since becoming an adult, the proliferation of digital transactions has almost eliminated my usage of paper currency. So as I sit here on a rare occasion, cramming bills that I got from a work expense refund into my old, worn-out wallet, I’m met with an unfamiliar feeling of excitement, and I ponder, momentarily, on its origin.

Why am I so excited about one hundred dollars? I earn more than that in a day. Any trip to the grocery store, a weekend event, or a steam sale sees more than one hundred dollars exit my bank account. Why am I so excited about one hundred dollars?

Then it was obvious. I’m not excited about the amount in isolation. I’m excited about the amount in relation to the medium. My perception of one hundred dollars in my bank account has grown with time. It has changed relative to the rent I pay, the gas I pump, the bills that get bigger each year. One hundred dollars seems insignificant. . . in my bank account.

Then there’s my wallet. I don’t reach into it when I need to pay rent. I don’t cram it full of cash before I go grocery shopping. The last time I hoarded bills like a dragon does treasure was when I was saving to buy LEGOs. When I counted coins to round up the next dollar for Bionicle. When cash was kept in units of “action figures I can afford”, and my money transformed into vehicular robots instead of Ford Focus brake pads.

One hundred dollars in my wallet has stayed the same. An optimistic vestige of youth on the blurred line between adult and child.

The world has changed; I have changed. The cash has stayed the same. The wallet, the same one I carried twenty years ago, has stayed the same, and I’m reminded, so has a part of me.

Those feelings are worth more to me than one hundred dollars.

Maybe this weekend I’ll buy LEGO. Then again, these days, I probably won’t get much with one hundred dollars.

From Dubois County with love.

Matthew and Amy Crane

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​The StateHouse File covers the State Fair. I thought you might enjoy this, as they have devoted a lot of effort to covering the State Fair with quirky, fun stories. They've even updated their logo.

​Letter: Business and government interests brought Mid-States Corridor to life​

​Letter: Save the Spirit of Jasper​

​Jasper closes portion of Maute Street​

​American Idol Winner and Country Music Star Chayce Beckham headlining Buffalo Trace Festival in Petersburg​

​East Deanery Wisdom Day​

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.​

​Robert K. McLaughlin, 65, Santa Claus​

​Sister Maura Beckman, 96, Ferdinand​

​Maxine Russell, 99, Otwell​

​Hopf Equipment seeking Construction Equipment Technician​

​Holiday Foods Jasper hiring for Cashier/Carry-out, Meat, Bakery, and Produce Departments​

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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