The

MEGAPHONE

Elwood, Indiana                                                          Elwood High School(s)

Volume 6, No. 1                                                                  Saturday, January 1, 2005

Contents

(You can use the page numbers as links!)

Page 1 . . . Your Old Home Town -- Sharon (Benedict) Hurst

Page 2 . . . Where, Oh Where Did The Company Go? -- Ron Runyan

Page 3 . . . One Of Them -- Ellen Hamilton

                    Christmas Shopper -- Louise (Mountcastle) Romine

Page 4 . . . The Anderson Jinx -- Episode III -- Jane Ann (Seright) Lemen

Page 5 . . . Another New Year and "The Good Old Days" -- Ginny (Hocker) Noble

Page 6 . . . Msgr. Hammes -- Louise (Mountcastle) Romine

                    Geese Heading South -- Louise (Mountcastle) Romine

Page 7 . . . A Winter Experience Remembered -- Julie (Stout) Crim

Page 8 . . . The First Buzz -- Marvin Crim 

Your Old Home Town

by Sharon (Benedict) Hurst

By the time you read this, Christmas Day 2004 will have passed. My wish for all of you is that this feeling of Peace and Goodwill stay in your heart the entire year.

Callaway Park has been the only thing of news since the last Megaphone. After the high winds during the first part of December, there was much damage to the decorations at the park. The beautiful tunnel of lights that Dan Nance had made was destroyed. Who expected wind damage in December? I only hope that those who could personally visit the park drove through lots of times and dropped donations into the special "tube" that was put out for the convenience of those who were enjoying the displays. And, if at all possible, I hope a small check can be sent to Dan between now and next fall to help defray the losses the Festival of Lights incurred. Believe me, this is certainly worth it.

Yours truly and another volunteer showed up on the evening we were supposed to work the Festival of Lights. Due to a scheduling error (2 groups for the same time), we did not have to stay. Since the weather was simply awful -- rain, cold, wind, etc. -- I can assure you that we were not at all disappointed. Those who did get to work as volunteers deserve a great big Thanks and a Tip of the Hat. Sometimes volunteering is great fun. Sometimes it is extremely hard work.

As I have driven around town, it seems that everyone has drawn from the celebration of lights at the park. Perhaps there were this many decorated homes last year, but it seems to me that almost every street has lights as far as you can see whichever way you look. Not every house but enough to make any drive in any direction worth while. It is so nice to see the outpouring of pride this community is showing at each turn of the year. I keep hoping there will be some way to get pictures to share with those who can not get here to see all of these things for themselves.

Most of the people who are in driving range really should come here just to see the park. If tours can come from all over the state, even some from surrounding states, surely those with a Panther Den connection can make a drive here to enjoy these lights. There will be time for you to make sure this IS on your schedule for next year.

Anderson Street looks so good. The new lights, sidewalks, trees and the many extras make the town look like a Victorian Christmas Card as you drive into town. I am so pleased to see that almost every home from Fairground Road to South P Street has caught the Pride Bug. There are only a couple of places that still appear a little tacky to the passers by.

There is another new eatery uptown called "Shirley’s." For those who like to walk, this will make a nice respite in the center of town for a spot of refreshment as they walk about town and a welcome stop for those who just want a place to sit and relax for a bite of lunch or dinner. When this place is officially open for coffee, etc., I will give you another update.

The old Williams’ Hamburger Shop, which is now "Hanch’s," has been expanded to make more room for those who want to eat in. The space that was just west of the restaurant, I believe it was Long’s Cleaners when I was in school, is now part of  the eat in experience. It was great that they were able to do this with out changing the ambience of the place. The grill is still under the windows where it has been since the time my dad was young and for some reason this is what people remember and think about first when the subject of Hanch’s comes up. A big thank you to Mr. Hancher for keeping this tradition uptown and as near to the original looks as possible. The only way for our community to grow is for the places we do have to stay and grow even better also.

I guess that is where we come in a members of this community. We are the ones who will help keep the traditions here and bring the growth that is needed. We can stop in at the places that are uptown and make sure we give them all of the support we can. You might say that our Destiny is in our own hands to a certain extent.

So far our little town is coming along fine and dandy. I can’t wait for all of you who are not here to see the improvements. We have already become a place for you to call Your Old Home Town with pride and there is no reason these improvements can not continue.

If we do it, they will come. Whoever thought that buses and cars would come from all over the state, and beyond, to see our little park? It is important to remember that while we can make things better, we can also keep other things from thriving …it is indeed up to us.

May God keep each of you in the palm of His hand.

Your Roving Reporter,

Sharon (Benedict) Hurst '53

Elwood, IN . . . Out on Fairground Road

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