The Patriot Community Voice
“News from Patriot/ Posey Township and Beyond”
August 7 , 2025 Edition
By: Mike Jones
Our local schools have started the 2025-2026 school year. This my eighth year since I last worked directly for the Switzerland County Schools. Time moves by so fast. There have been so many new people hired since then, I find myself seeing many people that I do not know. I still am somewhat connected to the local schools with my work with the Madison Area Educational Special Services Unit. I remember the anticipation and anxiety with the beginning of a new school year. I wish all of the students and staff a successful school year. Our schools are always looking for volunteers to help or substitutes for the classrooms, custodians, cafeteria help or bus driver. If any of my readers are interested in getting involved with the local schools, reach out to any of the buildings.
Switzerland County Schools Hires New Transportation Director
Chad Higgins was recently hired to be the new Transportation Director for the Switzerland County School Corporation. Chad will replace Cindy Welch who has served in the transportation department for several years. Cindy recently announced her decision to retire. Cindy will continue working temporarily to help train Chad for the position. Chad has recently been working for the local gas company in Vevay and was formerly associated with the feed mill company in Bear Branch. Chad’s grandfather, Wilfred Cole was a bus driver for many years.
Jake and Alma Detmer
When I was a young boy, we used to go to Jake and Alma Detmer’s on Patriot Hill off 250 to buy farm fresh eggs. The Detmer Farm was located where the Joey Rider family lives now. The Detmer’s also operated a dairy farm. Jake and Alma were very friendly and I always enjoyed going there as a young boy. Jake would have been a Great Great Uncle to Allen Detmer.
Randy Dickerson
I lost a classmate last week with the passing of Patriot native, Randy Dickerson. Randy and I started in the first grade together at Patriot Elementary School, and we were both members of the 1975 graduating class at Patriot Elementary School. Randy served in the Marines and came back to Patriot where he ran Randy’s Shell in Rising Sun for several years. He worked for RS Home Sales and also delivered newspapers for the Vevay Reveille. Randy was always a lot of fun to be around. When we were growing up, his father, Bill Dickerson ran a garage that was located where the Flag Park is located now. Randy was always around there with his siblings when not in school. Randy grew up in the house in town where Reggie Honaker lives now. Randy was a good athlete and we played a lot of baseball games over at Harris Park. Randy was married to Michelle McMurray Dickerson for twenty-seven years and is survived by Michelle, sons, Joshua Tapp and Jesse Bailey, and their families and daughter, Jade Dickerson, three grandchildren and his siblings, Rod, Sonny, Priscilla (Toy), Judith and their families. His parents, Bill and Judy Dickerson passed away several years ago. Randy will be missed for sure.
Patrick Jones will be starting back to school this week in his position as a teacher at Rising Sun High School. His son, Mason will be a sophomore at Rising Sun High School.
Sport Shorts
Amber Detmer Signs with I.U. Kokomo
Patriot resident and 2025 Switzerland County High School graduate Amber Detmer will be a member of the Indiana University Kokomo Cross Country team this fall. Amber will begin her studies there where she will major in Elementary Education. Amber had a very successful career in Track and Cross Country in high school, being selected as MVP in both teams, qualifying for the regions in both sports, and earning All Conference honors as a junior and senior. We wish her much success as she begins her collegiate career. Amber is the daughter of Allen and Michelle Detmer of Patriot.
Local Athletes Will Compete in Fall Sports
Several local athletes will be competing in Fall sports for their respective schools. Jachoby McKay will be playing varsity football and wrestling, Maizlee Smith will be on the middle school volleyball team, Isabella Lieland will be on the varsity volleyball team, and Gabriel Lieland will be playing on the middle school football team. If I have missed anyone, please contact me so I can include them in next week’s edition.
Cam Craig will begin his collegiate career at Mt. Saint Joseph in Cincinnati this fall.
The Cincinnati Reds took 2 out of 3 games in a series against the Cubs in Chicago. The Reds will open a four game series against the Pirates today in Pittsburgh. After that the Reds will play 22 of their remaining 43 games against play off positioned teams including Milwaukee, Chicago, Philadelphia. San Diego and Los Angeles. They have the toughest remaining schedule on paper in the National League. One interesting stat is the Reds are the only team in major league baseball that have not been swept in a series.
The Cincinnati Bengals will open their preseason schedule against the Philadelphia Eagles today at 7:30 p..m. at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
Action Needed in Support of the Patriot Post Office
As you may be aware, we will soon be a year without our community post office. This has forced residents in the town of Patriot to drive to Florence to get our mail. Fehrman Realty out of Lawrenceburg owns the building where the post off was located for many years and has been remodeling their building in hopes of having the post office returned to that building. We are encouraging Patriot residents to contact the USPS to urge them to bring our post office back to town in its original building. You can send your letter to:
Kelly Costanzo
USPS Facilities-Landlord Management Specialist
7500 East 53rd Place, Room 1108
Denver, Colorado 80266-9918
303-456-6709
News From the Pews
Patriot Baptist Church
The Patriot Baptist Church will hold a baptism service after the morning worship service on Sunday, August 10, 2025. The baptism service will be held at the boat ramp park east of town.
The Patriot Baptist Church will hold its morning worship service on August 25, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. (two hours earlier) so members who choose to can attend the community worship service at the Swiss Wine Festival in Ogle Park in Vevay. Pastor Mike Jones will have a part in the service at Ogle Park.
Upcoming special services at the Patriot Baptist Church include:
- October 19, 2025- Annual Homecoming Service at 11:00 a.m., with a luncheon afterwards at the Patriot Town Hall.
- November 16, 2025- Annual Veteran’s Service at 11:00 a.m. with a luncheon at the Patriot Town Hall. The guest speaker for the Veteran’s Service will be Lieutenant Colonel Destiny Wells of the United States Army. More information on Lt. Colonel Wells will be in a future edition of the Patriot Community News.
In Other News
Living in a small community has many rewards. I was reminded of that this morning when I started to work and noticed that I had a low tire that was rapidly losing air. I stopped at the North Bend Farm and there was John and Sam Schroer and Brandon Works who changed my tire for me! It is great to have neighbors who are always willing to help anyone in need!
Sympathy to the family of Jerry Bolden of the Florence Community as well as the family of Earnest Wayne Turner of Patriot. Several people called to ask me if this was Wayne Turner of Columbia Street, and it was not.
That is all for this week. Until next week, in the words of the Glen Campbell song, remember to “try a little kindness and shine your light for everyone you meet.”