Megaphone
Elwood, Indiana
Elwood High School(s)
Your Old Home Town
Volume 4, No. 2 February 15, 2003 Page 1
Elwood High School(s)
Today, here in your old home town, we are having some cold . . . 24º. . . and some snow. I personally like the cold and snow. The people who are out and about here must also like the cold and snow. I see smiling faces everywhere I go. People with blushing faces wearing winter gear and colorful scarves wrapped around their heads. Of course, most of the people from here smile more than the average person. Who wouldn't . . . living in such a fine and upcoming community.
The construction is down to the finer points of the building at the new civic complex. Will not be long now before the police and fire department are finally getting moved. Still some greenspace work to be done but the plans are there and that won't take too terribly long, I would hope.
At the North Anderson Street bridge over Duck Creek, there are stacks and stacks of tiles and pipes awaiting the start of the work on the "North Anderson Street Project." When finished, the sidewalks, trees and streetlights will be from city limits on the south to city limits on the north. What a joy it will be to drive up Highway 13 and see this new look, and how the travelers heading north on the highway will be impressed.
St.Vincent Mercy Hospital has opened the new addition and it is so much more than anyone expected. There is no small town that I know of, that has a better hospital than ours. We have always been fortunate to have our own hospital here in Elwood. Most of the people have no idea what it is like to not have Mercy Hospital here. Like our town, the hospital fell into some hard times but, also like our town St. Vincent Mercy held on and kept reaching to become better. There was also a group of naysayers who did not think the hospital could become what it is now. Would you believe that this is the same group who feel that way about your Old Home Town? When people are negative, it seems to be about everything, doesn't it?
The administrator at the hospital these past years is David Masterson. He had a vision for the hospital when he came to Elwood and we are so very fortunate that he included the whole town in that vision. His enthusiasm sparked a new and improved Main Street program that benefited all. His activities in Main Street seminars and conventions introduced him to like minded people that could help us become what we were striving for; Dr. Jim Glass, professor at Ball State, who was responsible for the study of the old buildings here in town. Dr. Glass has included Elwood in several of the books he has written about the era of the "Gas Belt." He calls Elwood the "Buckle of the Gas Belt." There was also David Duvall who is from the DNR . . . Department of Natural Resources . . . and whose office is responsible for the grants and applications that enable historic restoration and admittance to historic registers. Little did any one know that David Duvall's grandparents were from Elwood.
That office helped those of us who wrote the grant get it accepted on the first try. They gave us the money to get started on the study for the application to the National Register. Dr. Glass's study of the old buildings helped propel us forward and now, Your Old Home Town has been entered in the National Register of Historic Places with a designation of Historic Downtown Commercial District. Many residential areas of this town are now in a position to seek entrance to the National Register also. So much history here that means so very much. Because of David Masterson who led the Main Street program and spent time making the contacts that were out there and which we desperately needed, we have come so very far. David is not an Elwood Native, but he has a love for Elwood that many of her native children do not. He looks about to see what can be done to make us better . . . the others complain about what is here. We do indeed owe David Masterson quite a lot for giving us that spark.
It is only 4 months until the day of Denstock. Those of you who visit here will see with your own eyes the improvements that have been made. They will be shocked, just as the ones who came last year were. No amount of description can really make you understand what has happened . . . the attitudes of those who want to work for this community . . . the pride that abounds here. You will have to see all of this with your own eyes.
This community has been grieving with the rest of the country for those who were lost on the Columbia. Our flags were at half staff and many prayers were offered up for the families and friends who felt such loss. I find that your Old Home Town also has a very special respect and caring for those who are working to protect this country and, of course, your Old Home Town. There is an aura of soberness and concern that is mixed with the smiles we see around here. But no matter what happens, I speak for so many from this town in saying, We Will Be Much Better . . . From Working Together. Our prayers are constant as is our love.
Respectfully
submitted by,
Sharon
Benedict Hurst '53
Your
Old Home Town Reporter