December 2005                                                     The Megaphone                                                                 Page 3

The Journey Home

by Cindy (Benedict) Odom

                          
  It was a December evening, and the sun was just starting to set, but the shade of gray made it seem like nighttime. Gray is the color of winter; or so it seems in Indiana. The clouds roll in about November and seem to stay till March. Every now and then the sky will open up for a day or so, letting the sun shine down on us, but then it closes back up, but not before releasing a load of snow.

  These thoughts entered my head on the quiet road as I aimed my car towards my destination. I had stayed with my parents over the weekend and I didn't get the early start back home that I had planned on. It was very difficult to leave them, but it was time to get home. I decided to take the less hectic route, avoiding the busy highway. It started to snow shortly after I left, but by then it was too late to go the interstate, so onward I trekked. I spent some of my drive filled with the joy of counting, mile markers, minutes, and other cars on the road. I was also counting the times a particular song played on the radio. It was close to Christmas, and every radio station was doing its best to wear out a certain song. I didn't want to hear "Grandma got ran over by a reindeer" one more time, but the radio was the only company I had to ease the trip. I kept trying to find a station, but many stations seemed to be suffering from an endless attack of static. This was not a good time to have a broken cassette player! If it was working, I could pick my own songs and no static.

  I continued to drive, guiding my car with my left hand and pushing buttons with my right. I named my radio search "tune tag."  I became absorbed in this game of "tune tag" and I didn't realize I was drifting from the road until I felt a thump. I managed to stay calm and get back on the road. I looked in the rear view mirror to see if I had alarmed anyone else with my little maneuver. The road was clear, but I saw a flash of red light. With an expression on my face similar to a deer in headlights, I looked around to see where the policeman was. I thought the radio and lack of sleep had gotten to me, there was no policeman in sight. Then the flash of red light again. This time I was looking out of the windshield and I watched a flash of light dance and frolic across the night sky.

  Sometime during my drive it had quit snowing and the sky had cleared. The moon was shining and the stars stared down through a rainbow of color. Each movement of the light and shift of color brought a howl of static from the radio. Nature's symphony was being broadcast from the airwaves as it was being choreographed from above. I watched as my visual and auditory senses were overwhelmed. I drove and watched this incredible sight for a while. Eventually I made my way down the last country road and to my destination. Welcoming lights shown through the windows. I slid out of my car and walked up the walk. The wind blew cold around the corner, which hurried me along. But then I stopped, just for a moment and looked up. The performance was over, but I knew it had been there; it was real and one of the most beautiful sights I have ever seen. It was an experience I will never forget.
           

Cindy (Benedict) Odom '69

Whatever Happened To . . . 

by Our Library Sleuth

  Not long ago someone on the Panther Den list asked if anyone remembered a small church building on the southeast corner of 20th & No. B Streets. The church was active during the the '40s and '50s but few knew any of the details surrounding that church.

  Lo and behold, our library sleuth provided this background on that church. 

20th & No. B -- 2001 No. B Street

1906...City Directory lists Christian Church

1916 - 1975...City Directory lists Church of Christ

1976...no listing at that address

About 2 yrs ago, building torn down and on the lot is a very nice modular style home.

1616 No. A Street

1924 - 1927...St. John's Lutheran Church new building at that location until 1966; Moved to new church at ST RD 37 & 13.

1972...Church of Christ at that location. Currently there.

Church of Christ moved from 2001 No. B St. to 1616 No. A St. between the years of 1969 & 1972.

This information comes from the City Directories in the library. The gap in years comes from missing books.

Library Sleuth at your service,

Nancy Sumner

Elwood Public Library