MEGAPHONE
Elwood, Indiana Elwood High School(s)
Volume 5, No. 2 Sunday, February 1, 2004
Contents
Page 1 . . . Your Old Home Town -- Sharon (Benedict) Hurst
But No One Knows -- Darrell & Ann (Robertson) Burton
Page 2 . . . A Tribute to My Grandpa, Thurman Runyan -- Shelley Runyan
Page 3 . . . Trackside Stories ; Down by the Old Mill Pond -- R. Beeman
Page 4 . . . Faith In the Human Spirit -- Deborah (Bozell) Donahue
Page 5 . . . Elwood's Gun Girl (Part Two) -- Nancy Sumner
Page 6 . . . Hammocks -- Julie (Stout) Crim
Page 7 . . . Soup Story -- Davis Stout ; Hoosier Hospitality -- Karen (Stine) Hollies
Page 8 . . . Elwood Call Leader -- from 1957
Train of Life -- Doggie & Myrna (Reynolds) Henderson
Joy of the Heart -- Sharon (Woods) Schwartz
Your Old Home Town
There is snow on the ground here and it is looking quite pretty as we go about town. The forecast is for more snow this afternoon and again Saturday and Sunday. Yes, it is cold but this does not seem to bother the younger residents. In fact, since we live so close to the high school our son walks back and forth to work. He says he has to walk almost as far after parking, the car doesn’t get warm, and he stays warmer with the exercise.
For those of us who are retired, the cold is a factor we do not really have to address on a daily basis. We can stock up on our needs and stay inside where it is nice and warm and toasty. We have a large window that overlooks the road in front and the field across from us. We have birds, too many kinds to list at this time. If we were still working on a daily basis this weather would indeed be a nightmare. But since we can choose to go out only when we want it is not so bad and there is something about sitting in front of a fireplace watching the snow through the window that is very nice.
This
town is still in mourning for
The students at the Elwood Schools were devastated since they had all known Logan and his brother, Adam, and sister, Megan. I am so proud of them because they have taken a tragedy and have been able to come up with something really good out of it. They are planning sales of various items. Right now they are starting with popcorn and maybe one other item. The proceeds from these sales will go to the “Logan Church Scholarship Fund.”
I see the bond between these students and I am again reminded of the bond that is between all students who have come through this small community. When we are in close proximity to each other and can talk every day to share our thoughts and feelings we think this will never change. As we become adults, we find that not only has this changed a bunch but also that the bonds we had are fading. Sometimes we have to work hard to remember things, both good and bad, that happened “way back when” and this becomes much more difficult as we have our families and turn our thoughts and time to being with them and our careers and work. It is so very good that we have this on line group to bring us back together and renew this bond, to let us talk as often as we want and to share our thoughts and memories.
The town is really quiet at this time of year. There is a new restaurant called Pennsylvania Avenue opening up on the corner of South A and Anderson Streets. This is the corner where Tam’s Drug Store used to be. I haven’t been in there to eat yet, but I did wander in to get a look prior to their opening the restaurant. There were very nice place settings, goblets and cloth napkins. They are starting small and there is room for expansion if it should be needed.
The Opera House now has an elevator to use. This makes it so nice for going up to the second floor for reunions, receptions, meetings, entertainment, etc. I have heard nothing but good about the events that are held there. The food is excellent and the service is great. The only downside had been the stairway and that is now a moot point. I know there are many benefits that will be coming to Elwood through this enterprise.
For the first time since I have lived back in Elwood there is something being done to repair the reputation that this small town has had. Acknowledging Martin Luther King Day and having a ceremony here in town was a big start. This is such a diverse world and this town is growing up and taking responsibility.
There is also much revamping of the Elwood Court System and the Probation Department. This included audits to investigate big discrepancies in the money that was reported to both the state offices and to the city. This action was very needed and Ken de-la Bastide, a reporter for the Anderson Herald did some very good investigative reporting regarding the problems of the court here in Elwood. The specific articles he has written can be found on line at www.theheraldbulletin.com. Not only is there no online address for the Elwood Call-leader, they have had very little written about the problems that have occurred.
Many people have been aware for many years that the police force here has not been very people friendly. It has been difficult for businesses to remain open since no out-of-towners would come to Elwood because of the intimidation that could be shown. There has been some big changes in this department and should be quite a few more to help this part of Elwood’s bad reputation.
The uptown is being is being revitalized and people are starting to take a lot more pride in this community. As the town’s reputation is being changed, it is hopeful that more and more people will be willing to come here, to Elwood, to use the businesses that are here and new ones that will be coming.
It is so gratifying to see this community stretching to become better. I know that the things that have been done are baby steps but I see progress and people who do not want the status quo, who want this community to become all that it can be -- a place that is not a joke to surrounding towns but a place that we all can be proud to call Our Old Home Town.
That’s all for now. May God keep you in the palm of His hand.
Your Roving Reporter,
Sharon Benedict Hurst ‘53’
Elwood, IN, Out on Fairground Road
But No One Knows . . .
A
kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they drew.
She would occasionally walk around to see each child's artwork. As she got to
one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was. The
girl replied, "I'm drawing God."
The
teacher paused and said, "but no one knows what God looks like."
Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing the girl replied, "They will in a minute."
Submitted by . . .
Darrell G. Burton Sr. AHS '53
husband of Ann (Robertson) Burton EHS
'62