The

MEGAPHONE

Elwood, Indiana                                                  Elwood High School(s)

Volume 2, No. 3                                                                                              March 15, 2001

Contents

Page 1 -- April 1 Celebration -- Loretta (Jarvis) Dodd

                        Your  Hometown Today -- Sharon (Benedict) Hurst  

Page 2 -- Hancher Named Great Teacher -- Anderson Herald Bulletin
                        School Daze -- Bob "Doggie" Henderson

Page 3 -- Meet the Moderator -- Genie (Forst) Boyer
Page 4 -- A Moment In Time -- Sharon (Woods) Schwartz

                      Quilt Story -- Linda (Meltzer) Harris

Page 5 -- Journey To Guam -- Part I -- Julie (Stout) Duffitt  
Page 6 -- Senior Citizens Speak Out -- Toots '48

                        Are You A Carrot, An Egg, or A Coffee Bean? -- Genie (Forst) Boyer
Page 7 -- A Late Birthday Gift -- Julie (Stout) Duffitt

                        More Than A Teacher -- Sharon (Woods) Schwartz
Page 8 -- Journey To Guam -- Part II -- Julie (Stout) Duffitt

Hell-O Roller Rink Fans,
  Here comes an added attraction. In addition to getting together to mark two years of the Panther Den Online . . . look what we've added to our April 1 celebration.

Skating Party

  Ted Pedro announced the demolition of the old skating rink will be taking place in a few months. The present owners will vacate in May. Ted approached Loretta with the idea of renting the rink for one last party there for all the Panther Den members and kids and grandkids.

  The 2nd Anniversary of the Den site will be held Sunday, April 1, at the old Skating Rink at North J and 19th Street.  The party will be from 2 to 4 p.m. with an option of staying 'til 5:00 p.m. The rink will have free skate rental and provide all '50s and '60s music for us. Vicki will bring the Panther cake, etc. Cameras and video cams to capture all the "April Fools" will be provided, too.  Invite all your family members for this one last party at the rink!

Loretta (Jarvis) Dodd '56

   Hello again to all Denites out there in Cyberspace Land. I have been telling you all from time to time about the progress that is being made here in Elwood. Now I am going to tell you more about the Resource Center that I have briefly mentioned in other postings.

   This Resource Center is available for anyone who wants to use it. It is located in the old Leeson's Hardware store next to the license bureau and was most recently known as the J. D. Connor Building. St. Vincent Mercy Hospital has taken a long term lease on this building and have moved their business office into the east part of the office space.  There is a walk in wellness clinic for blood pressure checks and for people who just need to talk or ask questions. The large corner room has been designated for use as a Resource Center for our community. I have been able to obtain all kinds of literature, videos, bookmarks, posters, etc. in both Spanish and English to be available for those who need information regarding health care . . . although at this time most is concerning breast cancer. We have a small TV/VCR and would like very much to get a larger one in the near future.

   What I am asking for right now is help obtaining computers. We desperately need two (2) to place in this Resource Center that will be connected to specific web sites that will answer questions that patients or their friends and families have.  This will be in a private and quiet area yet there is a nursing staff that will be on duty at all times the center is open and they will be available if needed.

   One of the concerns that I have had is reaching out to the teenagers in this town without lectures and scare tactics.  I have talked with the director of the work/study program at the high school and there are students from that program that will be able to help staff the front desk at the Resource Center. We all know that kids of today are very computer literate and they will be able to help the people of the community find what they are looking for via the computer. We also know that these same students will be curious and look and learn from these resources themselves; as will the friends who will stop by to visit while they are working.

   If any of this directs just one young person into an area they have not know about before it will have accomplished a lot. I think that the impact on the lives of our young people will be immeasurable. For them to be able to learn the dangers they can avoid to make themselves healthier and to learn how to take charge of their lives in a productive and positive way is something that will come about without pressing these issues at them. And the possibility that it might direct one of these young people into an area where they could pursue a career in research is a big possibility. All of this is waiting until I can get the computers in, up and running.

   Please, any of you who are on this Den Family list that can and are willing, help us obtain this equipment. If anything is donated it can be through the St. Vincent Mercy Hospital Foundation Board, a non-profit organization, and they will make sure that you can get a receipt for tax deductions.

   I have many times seen messages that have said, "I wish I could do something for my old Home Town." This is for the people of your home town and they need your support very much.

Your Roving Home Town Reporter
Nan aka Angel #2
Sharon (Benedict) Hurst '53
Now in Elwood, Indiana