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By Jerry Curry, Staff Writer

The final 12th episode of Season 11 of “Alone,” the History Channel’s acclaimed survival series, aired August 29. Salem resident Timber Cleghorn finished second place in the competition. Now that the last episode has aired, Cleghorn is free to discuss his experiences on the show.

The survival series took place at the Arctic Circle, near the McKenzie Delta in Canada, where temperatures can range from 40 degrees to -30 degrees.

Each contestant could choose only 10 items to take with them, and food provisions were not included. Participants had to rely on their hunting, fishing and gathering skills to provide food for themselves.

The last person to remain in the competition would win $500,000.

Each contestant was restricted to their own designated territory. There was no contact with the other participants or crew members of the series.

The History Channel did provide everyone with an international GPS phone (to report emergencies or to “tap out” of the competition), an emergency medical kit, five GoPro cameras, a tripod and 30 pounds of batteries to film their own adventures.

The last two contestants on the show were Cleghorn and William Larkham, Jr., age 49, of Labrador, Canada. Larkham was well acclimated to the harsh weather, although he had lost 74 pounds by the end of the show. Cleghorn had lost 34 pounds.

On day 83, Cleghorn decided to tap out of the competition, even though he was doing fine. He wants everyone to know that the Arctic did not beat him. Had he won, he thought people would see him as the guy with $500,000 and not just plain old Timber.

He commented that although William won the money, Cleghorn personally had discovered many things about himself and developed a true sense of inner peace. He believes that this adventure will always be one of the fondest experiences of his life.

One thing that may have been motivation for tapping out was that he missed his family most of all—Cara,his wife of 14 years, and sons Levi and Elliot. Cara is expecting the couple’s third child, a daughter, in late September.

Timber Cleghorn’s Experiences
Besides a sleeping bag, contestants were allowed to only bring 10 items. Cleghorn took a saw, axe, tarp, ferro rod, a modified Leatherman tool, a large two-quart pot, a 300-yard roll of a single-filament fishing line plus 29 assorted fishing hooks, a bow and nine arrows, snare wire and a spool of paracord. All items had to be approved.

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

All tools were razor sharp. Timber is an able-bodied woodsman.

He has spent a lot of time in the woods hunting and camping. He described it this way, “The woods are my temple.”

In Cleghorn’s designated area, he survived on rabbit, squirrel and moose. There were not a lot of edible greens or berries. He was the only one to bring down a moose, and he did it with one arrow. He dressed out the moose with his modified Leatherman tool, which was built out of three knives that he put together.

Periodically there were random checks by the series staff, with little talking, adhering to the protocols set for “Alone” participants. In fact, he was prohibited from speaking to anybody, including hunters or native tribes in the area.

After tapping out, it took at least 45 minutes for the support crew from the base camp to reach Cleghorn. He returned to the base camp outside of Inuvik, where he stayed for 10 days get readjusted and medically evaluated.

The History Channel had flown Cleghorn’s wife, Cara, to meet him at base camp after he had tapped out of the competition. This was something the company did not usually do, but they knew that daylight would soon be coming to an end. When Cleghorn first saw his wife, they hugged for five minutes.

Once released from the base camp, Cleghorn had to get readjusted to eating regular food. He couldn’t just down pizza and beer. He stated that first cup of coffee was delicious. One food he missed the most were brownies.

Getting Back to Regular Life
Cleghorn has many memories as take-aways from this trip. He cites many examples like making a fish hook out of bone and making moose jerky.

He brought back many souvenirs, including moose jerky, antlers, a homemade guitar, and a game he made with carved wooden figures.

Cleghorn mentioned that some people now recognize him in public.

So, what’s Timber up to now? Well, he has five guys who want to go hunting with him in Tajistan.

He also wrote a book about his experience in the McKenzie Delta in the Artic Circle, entitled “Memoir Of A Wildman.” The book is coming out in mid-October on Amazon.

Personal History
Cleghorn describes himself as a survivalist, wildman, free thinker, humanitarian aid worker and a follower of Jesus. He has traveled all over the world bring help to those in need.

He can speak Chinese, Russian, and Pamir.

Cleghorn would take the entire family on mission trips if the area was not in turmoil.

He took his wife Cara and two sons, Levi and Elliot, to Greece. Ukraine was off-limits for the family, as was any area where the Taliban or other hostile people might be present.

Affect On Our Community
Many Washington County residents felt like they were able to share in Cleghorn’s solitary and survivalist experiences and adventures through the “Alone” series.

He was an exemplary ambassador for our community who instilled pride in us all.

The three remaining contentants toward the end of "Alone." Pictured from left are Dub Paetz, third place; Timber Cleghorn, second place; and William Larkham, Jr., the winner of the series.

Timber Cleghorn upon his arrival at the Artic Circle.

All of the contestants who appeared on the "Alone" series.

Timber and his wife Cara, who are expecting the arrival of their daughter around the end of September.

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The Salvation Army in Southern Indiana is excited to partner once again this Christmas with Toys for Tots. Each year, Toys for Tots helps The Salvation Army provide toys for over 3,000 children in Southern Indiana.

To start the season, Toys for Tots will be hosting a kick-off event on Tuesday, October 1 from 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. The event will be held at Mission BBQ - 1213 Veterans Pkwy, Clarksville. All are invited to stop by, make a donation, and learn more about the campaign.

Greeters at the event will be available to receive monetary and/or new toy donations. All proceeds of the event will go towards purchasing toys for children in Southern Indiana.

For those that need Christmas assistance through The Salvation Army Angel Tree program, you may apply online at www.sanewalbany.org.

Online registration will be available from October 1, 2024, until the program reaches capacity.

For more information on the Christmas Angel Tree program, call our office at 812-944-1018.

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A benefit ride for Paul Humprhey is going to be held on Saturday, September 28th in order to help with financial burdens of his cancer treatment. All wheels are welcome (side-by-sides, Jeeps, cars, trucks, motorcycles, etc.)

Sign ups begin at 11 a.m. at the 4-H Fairgrounds located at 118 N Fair Street in Salem, and the departure is at 12 p.m.

A meal will follow the ride at approximately 5:30 p.m. There will also be a silent auction and a 50/50 raffle along with other raffle prizes.

Entry is $15.00 per driver and $5.00 for each non-driver in the car (meal included). Non-rider meals cost $7.00.

For more information, call or text Randy Lee Jr. at (812) 620-7085 regarding the ride route, and Anna Hall at (812) 620-0469 regarding the silent auction and meal donations.

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By Monika Spaulding

After 34 years at the library, Donna Hurst is closing the book and retiring at the end of this month. The community is invited to join the library staff in recognizing her dedication to the community with a retirement party Sunday, Oct. 6, from 2-5 p.m. at Southern Hills Church located at 1645 S SR-135, Salem.

Hurst said the job began when she was volunteering with story time at the library and the director at the time, Susan Tengesdal, was short staffed and asked her if she’d consider working there. Hurst was good friends and neighbors with Tengesdal and decided to take her up on the offer.

“My two oldest kids had both started school, so I figured why not!” she said. “I started helping to cover some of the evening hours and it just went from there!”

When she started at the library, she would help wherever she was needed.

“I worked at the adult desk, helped with interlibrary loans and processed books, and I helped in the children's department…just wherever I was needed. I did a lot of cross training!”

In 2002, she became the director of the children’s department. And when you ask her what she will miss the most about that job? Her answer is, “Most definitely the children and seeing my friends at the library. We have a great staff and they are the best. I will miss seeing them every day!”

Above everything, she said the kids are her favorite part of her job.

“I love working with the children and seeing their bright and smiling faces, whether it's at the library or out in public,” she said. “I had so much fun working with my community partners doing programs…they were a fun group of ladies! But I have loved every moment of working with the kids!”

Hurst said in her 34 years, there have been a lot of changes.

“The addition to the library is one big change!” she said. “So much more room and an actual program room! But, moving the entire library from one building to another was not fun at all!”

Other changes she has witnessed include computers and the automated systems. The staff no longer stamps check out cards and there is “no more looking through 100's of card catalog cards. It's all online now! Much, much easier to help patrons find things! We have made so many changes down through the years and hopefully the changes have made our community better.”

Hurst said the job has impacted her in so many ways, explaining that every day is something new and exciting.

“I think when you work with the public, you learn to be more tolerant and understanding of people and their needs and situations,” she said. “I've learned to just roll with it, you never know what the day will hold!”

Library employee Judy Reasor said she has loved working with Hurst for the last 12 years.

“I remember when I first started, my biggest goal was to be able to find books for patrons without having to look them up,” she said. “Donna could go right to any book they asked for and give them suggestions for exactly what they were wanting to read. She inspired the love of reading to so many.”

Reasor said she also enjoyed Hurst’s story times.

“She’s an excellent storyteller and the kids always sit and listen so well.”

Hurst also knows a lot about the history of the library. She would make the school tours interesting and taught the kids so much about the building and its history.

“We are going to miss her so very much!” said Reasor. “Her position is going to be hard to fill!”

Hurst said that while she has read a lot of books, she hasn’t read all the books in the children’s department. She does, however, read a lot of reviews of books.

“I wish I had the time to do that, but if you are running a department, you really can't sit and read every book!” she said.

Despite not reading all of them, she has many she likes, but she doesn’t know if she could pick a favorite. “It’s hard to pick just one.

“There are so many I just love and there are new ones I find and have fun with all the time!” she said. “I am one of those who likes a fun or silly book to read aloud! I love Pete the Cat, any Mo Willems, David Shannon, Ted Arnold or Sarah Wilson. For the older kids, Richard Peck, Louis Sachar, John Green, J.K. Rowling or Sarah Weeks books.”

Hurst said she also loves to read interactive books to the kids, like Herve' Tullet books.

“If it's a book for me, then Janet Evanovich, Kristin Hannah, John Grisham or our Book Club selection for the month!” she added.

When asked why she thinks people should visit their local library, Hurst said, “We have a wonderful library. It is not only a beautiful building but a great place to work and to spend time. The staff has worked hard to make it a place where everyone is welcome. We have strived to make fun and interesting programs the norm here for every age group.”

Hurst said they want people to use the library and stress that they don't need a library card to enjoy the library, the programs or even to use other services, only for checking out materials.

“We are here for everyone just as Andrew Carnegie imagined all those decades ago when he gave us a grant to build a library,” she said.

Hurst said working at the library has been the most rewarding, fun, enjoyable job anyone could ever have.

“I have made so many wonderful friends and had the joy of being involved in so many children's and young adults’ lives,” she said. “I hope that the memories these kids have of me and my time at the library are happy ones. Because the ones they leave me with sure are the most happy and wonderful for me. I have loved every moment of working with and for the children and young adults of this community.”