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Inside the Fence

A Photo Essay by Kayla Renie

When I moved to Jasper from my home state of Georgia in January, I never expected a global pandemic would happen, let alone be the defining aspect of my internship at The Herald. Connecting with people through documenting everyday moments is what I love most about being a photojournalist. In order to do my job well, it requires trust and being up close and personal. The adjustments I’ve had to make in how I cover the news on a daily basis — such as wearing a mask and staying at least 6 feet away from sources — have made finding creative and safe ways to document people’s lives with the same level of intimacy as before a challenge. With only being here for six months, I worried that the COVID-19 pandemic would become a huge barrier in continuing the relationships I’d only just begun to build. But, it hasn’t. I have found that people are craving connection now more than ever.

During the governor’s stay-at-home order, Dubois County residents were confined to their homes and yards, the virus becoming a barrier to the outside world. I decided to photograph residents in their fenced-in yards, their fences symbolizing the virus as a barrier to much of the social interaction they once enjoyed. Residents reflected on what life has been like “inside the fence,” and admitted that while, yes, the virus has been a divider, being at home has come with positives, such as more family time and time to spend on hobbies.

The Schipp Family of Ferdinand: John, Rachael, Prairie, 2, & Luli, 14

The Schipp Family

“At first, I didn’t mind it too much,” John said of the stay-at-home order. “I’m kind of a homebody anyways. My parents and sister live nearby, though, and we’re used to seeing each other. So seeing them in their own yards, across the street and being so close but not able to be together was hard.”

Donnie Neukam & Mary Winkler of Huntingburg

Donnie Neukam & Mary Winkler

“We’re retired, so we don’t go out a lot anyways,” Donnie said. “We’ve been taking lots of walks, and we’re both good cooks, so we’ve been grilling and spending time in the backyard. We’re not afraid, just cautious about waiting a little longer to go back out.”

The Ciraulo Family of Huntingburg: Jonathan, Allison, Matias, 3, Lucila, 5, & Lucas, 7 months

The Ciraulo Family

“We homeschool and work from home anyways,” Allison said. “We’ve always loved our home, and we love it even more now. It’s a wonderful place to be trapped, but we do really miss traveling, going to church and seeing our friends.”

Chris Dixon & Kelly Eckerle of Jasper

Kelly Eckerle & Chris Dixon

“I grew up here,” Kelly said. “Nowhere else is home to me, and there’s nowhere else I’d rather be in a situation like this.” Kelly’s grandfather, Cyril Birge, had a garden that took up half of the backyard every summer until he passed away. She thinks about him often and how he would love to see this new flourishing garden at his house.

The Ellis Family of Holland: Joseph, Jennifer, Rayland, 6, Torrin, 8, Reagan, 4, Everlee, 1, & Tinsley, 2

The Ellis Family

Jennifer had the American flag mural painted for her husband, Joseph, during his 2012 tour in Afghanistan. During the stay-at-home order, in order to carry on with normal life as much as possible, the Ellis family spent a lot of time outside riding their bikes, going on walks, playing on their swing set and even having movie nights in their backyard. With five children, the biggest challenge for the Ellis family was when the kids were still in school and juggling how to get everything done and keep everyone entertained. “Throughout this, we’ve had to come up with some creative ways of keeping everyone engaged,” Joseph said. “It was a big sigh of relief when school ended and daycares opened back up.”

Amanda & Todd Orange of Huntingburg

Amanda & Todd Orange

“With kids, it can be hard to keep everyone calm and busy,” Todd said. “We spend a lot of time in the yard playing cornhole and sitting by the fire making s’mores. I don’t see things going back to our normal soon. We’re just waiting to see what’s going to happen.”

Becky Fuller of Ferdinand

Becky Fuller

“I love the feeling of helping something to live, to see that new life,” Becky said. She has been spending her extra time at home tending to her plants. “Life is a good thing, just as it is,” she said. “The virus has given me a new perspective on that ... It’s okay to just enjoy the moment and the nice weather and watch something grow.”

Brenda & Jim DeMotte of Jasper

Brenda & Jim DeMotte

Brenda has an autoimmune disease and is over the age of 65, putting her at higher risk for COVID-19. Her dogs and her garden have been a source of joy. “I’ve never had a problem keeping busy,” she said. “I’ve been making masks, and we’ve been watching a lot of movies since there are no sports on right now.”

The Herald | Dubois County, Indiana | Saturday, June 13, 2020