Water Line Break Closes Street

                                                                                                                 photo by Rachel Jenkins
Employees of Harvey Construction fill in the hole made during work on a water line.

    A break in a water line occurred in the area just north of SR 22 on Maple Street. Town employees worked to rectify the situation but had to stop when it became evident that the problem extended under the highway.  An emergency meeting of the town council was called on December 27 and Harvey Construction was hired to replace the broken line, which included boring a new line under the highway.  For a few days Maple Street was blocked at SR 22.  Funding for this project will
come from the Water Utility and is estimated to be no more than $75,000.
    Greentown Water Superintendent, Kevin Moss, reports that there have been 5 breaks in the area from Lincoln Street to SR 22 in the last year alone.  The piping in this area is of pipe dating back to 1959.  It was observed that much of the town’s infrastructure is old enough to cause problems and more replacements may be needed in the future.

Deyoe Elected President
   Scott Deyoe will lead the Greentown Town Council for the year 2013.  The annual election of officers took place at the Jan. 1 regular meeting of the council.  Dan Adams was elected Vice President.  The other members of the council are Todd Everling, Scott Flick, and Joyce Higginbottom.
   The council voted to schedule two regular meetings per month for the year, beginning in February.  The meetings will be the first and the third Tuesdays, at 7:30 p.m.  The second meeting will give more time for attention to the ongoing wastewater treatment plant upgrade and will allow for three readings of ordinances in a more timely manner when there is a deadline.  If the meeting on the third Tuesday is not needed, a cancellation notice will be posted in the window of the utility office.

Eastern Welcomes Three New Coaches For 2013 Season
by Eric Fink, Sports Editor, Greentown Grapevine

   Three new coaches were welcomed by the Eastern School Board at board meetings this past season.  Bart Alexander, Austin Roark, and Eric Fink were accepted by the board, and will begin coaching their selective sports in the 2013 season.
    Bart Alexander has been named the head coach of the Eastern 8th grade girls Basketball team. He has several years of experience as a basketball coach. Mr. Alexander has coached at Eastern in previous seasons with the girls 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th basketball teams, as well as coached Varsity Girls basketball as an assistant. Bart
spent four years away from coaching to enjoy watching his youngest daughter, Amanda, play for the Comets Girls Varsity team.  Amanda has since graduated and will be joining her father as an assistant 8th grade Girls basketball coach this season.
    Austin Roark will assume the position of Head Coach for the Eastern Boys Varsity Track Team. Austin had served as the assistant Varsity Track coach under Paul Nicholson for the last 2 seasons. He focused mainly on sprints and long jump as an assistant, but will be taking on full coaching duties in the upcoming season. Mr. Roark is
an Occupational Therapist at Kindred of Kokomo.
    Eric Fink has replaced Tyler Imbierowicz as the assistant Junior Varsity Baseball Coach. Mr. Fink is a first time coach, but has been around baseball his entire life and is very passionate about the sport. Eric lives in Kokomo and is a Realtor at the Wyman Group.
    Eric Fink, Bart Alexander, and Austin Roark are proud to contribute to Eastern Athletics. Whether it’s basketball, baseball, or track, these new coaches hope to leave their mark and achieve success for many seasons to come.

Point in Time - Downtown Greentown
by Rachel Jenkins

    A practice I have been rather hit-and-miss about is photographing downtown Greentown on New Year’s Day. 
Over time, these photographs will provide an historical record.  It is easy to say, “Of course we’ll remember what used
to be there,” but experience shows memory fades and proves the value of a photographic record. 
So here are the four corners.

Susan Harper

Jan 30, 1951 - Dec 25, 2012

    Susan Heppler Harper, 61, or Bremen, IN, passed away in her home at 5:53 AM, December 25, 2012, from complications of metastatic breast cancer.  Sue was born in Cleveland, OH on January 30, 1951 and adopted at birth by Alfred Joseph and Berniece Ward Heppler of Rocky River, OH.
    After graduating from Rocky River High School and Earlham College, she married Michael A. Harper on May 11, 1974.  She then finished a masters degree in library science at Indiana University, worked a short time, then spent the rest of her life as a devoted wife, mother and grandmother.  A longtime member of the Old Brethren Church at Wakarusa, she was associated with Victory Christian Fellowship, New Paris, at the time of her death.  Sue was a friend to all.
    Her husband survives, as do her children, Seth and Rachel Harper of Bremen, Sarah and Timothy Heatwole of Milford, and Joshua and Bethanna Harper of Bremen and her two grandsons.  She was the daughter-in-law of Tom and Shirley Harper of Greentown.
    Burial was in the cemetery at Victory Christian Fellowship and a memorial service was held Monday, Dec. 31 at the Old German Baptist Brethren meetinghouse, CR 40 & CR 7, Wakarusa.
    Memorial contributions can be sent to Center for Hospice Care, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637-3437.

Riley W. Regan

Oct. 10, 1935 - Dec. 7, 2012

    Riley W. Regan, 77, of Greentown IN and Cranford NJ, died peacefully at his home in Cranford NJ on Dec. 7, 2012, after a short bout with primary liver cancer. Mr. Regan, a nationally recognized authority on alcoholism and drug abuse public policy, had a life-long personal and professional relationship with the field of alcoholism and drug abuse, was the founding director of the New Jersey Division of Alcoholism where he was credited with implementing the Alcoholism Treatment and Rehabilitation Act that decriminalized public drunkenness and established a statewide county planning system for alcoholism treatment and prevention. He also was instrumental in developing legislation that established the nationally recognized Intoxicated Driver Resource Center (IDRC) program, aimed at reducing drunken driving in New Jersey. Mr. Regan drew
his passion and commitment for his work from his own personal experiences with drugs and alcohol. He was an example of recovery to countless others and dedicated his life to helping alcoholics and drug addicts recover to live dignified and productive lives.  In retirement Mr. Regan served as a Chairman of the Kokomo Mayor’s Task Force on Drug Abuse Prevention and as an advisor to the State of Indiana’s addictions programs and was an expert witness on the American Disabilities and Federal Fair Housing Acts.
    He is survived by his wife, Katie Morris Regan; stepchildren, Kathy Maack, of Kokomo and Scott Engle of Imlaystown, NJ; grandchildren Rebecca and Markus Maack of Kokomo and Nicole Leming of Imlaystown.  A memorial service was held on Saturday, Dec. 22 in Cranford NJ. The family has requested that donations be made to Oxford House, Inc., 1010 Wayne Ave., Suite 300, Silver Spring, MD, 20910. Contributions may be made at www.oxfordhouse.org.

Kenneth ‘Bill’ Harper

Feb. 11, 1920 - Nov. 30, 2012

    Kenneth “Bill” Harper, 92, Swayzee, went to be with the Lord Friday morning, Nov. 30, 2012, leaving from Century Villa in Greentown following a short illness.
    He was born in Howard County on Feb. 11, 1920, to Howard and Grace (Ball) Harper, one of 12 children. He graduated from Jackson Township School in 1938 and married Marieta Younce on April 5, 1942. Bill and Marieta lived most of their married lives in Swayzee.
    Bill worked at Delco Remy in Anderson and the Swayzee Trailer factory before he and Hillard Payne started the Harper and Payne Implement Co. in 1953. It grew to be a successful John Deere dealership and Bill became sole owner in 1978. He remained involved in the business until his death.
  For many years, Bill and Marieta enjoyed their lake cottage on Wawasee Lake, where he loved to fish and play golf. He was a member of the Swayzee United Methodist Church, the Swayzee Lions Club and was also the Clerk Treasurer of Swayzee for many years.
    Survivors include a daughter, Kathy (Rex) Riggs, Greentown; grandchildren, Kristen Jo Riggs, Hershey, Pa., Ryan Kent Riggs, Greentown, Amy Marie Wolfgang, Tipton, Ian Randall Wolfgang, Fishers; a great-grandson, Kyler Wolfgang; son-in-law, Randy Wolfgang; sister, Sue (Gene) Alexander, Converse; and brothers, Vic, Dale and Tom Harper, all of Greentown.
    Bill was preceded in death by his wife, Marieta, on Sept. 19, 2011; daughter, Rita Jo Wolfgang, on Feb. 5, 1993; five sisters; and two brothers.
    A funeral service was held Wednesday, Dec. 5, at Swayzee United Methodist Church, 306 S. Washington St., Swayzee, with Pastor Bob Denney officiating. Burial was in Thrailkill Cemetery, Swayzee.     Memorial contributions may be directed to the Swayzee United Methodist Church or to the charity of the donor’s choice. Arrangements were handled by Needham- Storey-Wampner Funeral Service, Rybolt Chapel, 314 N. Washington St., Swayzee. Online condolences may be made at www.nswcares.com

Kathleen Mae Ooten

Apr. 23, 1927 - Dec. 27, 2012

    Kathleen Mae Ooten, 85, Kokomo, passed away at 6:50 PM Wednesday, December 27, 2012 at her residence.  She was born April 23, 1927 in Fairmount, Indiana to the late Virgil E. and Alta B. (Cole) Turner.  On August 29, 1948 in Greentown, she married William H. Price.   On July 30, 1981 in Celina, Tennessee she married Ervin E. Ooten; he preceded her in death on January 17, 2005. 
    She retired in 1982 from Delco Electronics after thirty years of service. 
    Surviving are two daughters and a son-in-law; Joyce and Roger Higginbottom, Greentown, and Carol McKoon, Kokomo; and a son, William Michael Price, Kokomo.  Also  surviving is a step-daughter, Wanda and Terry Alexander, Denver, Colorado, and nine grandchildren; Tracy and Scott Comfort, Greentown; Brian and
Connie Higginbottom, Greentown; Greg Higginbottom and special friend, Gina Chambers Kokomo; Christopher and Kelly McKoon, Kokomo; Sean and Jennifer Nofzinger, Auburn, Indiana; Janet McKoon Griggs and special friend Aaron Locklear, Kokomo; Jason Michael  and Brandee McKoon, Kokomo; Heather Price, Kokomo; Michael Alexander Price, Kokomo; two step- grandchildren, Teresa Alexander Peters, Troy Alexander, both of Colorado, twenty great-grandchildren;  one sister, Mary Schaefer, Greentown.  Also surviving are two sisters-in-law; Eileen Duncan, Kokomo and Lottie Price, Kokomo; three brothers-in-law; Bruce Price, Kokomo, Rusty Ooten, Peru, Earl Ooten, Peru.
    She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, one grandchild, one great-grandchild, one sister, and one brother.  
    Funeral services were held Wednesday, January 2, 2013 at First Baptist Church, 224 East Main Street, Greentown, with Pastor Kenn Freeland officiating.  Burial was at Ever Rest Memorial Park Cemetery, Logansport. 
    Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.murrayweaverfuneralhome.com.     

Flash Backs
Gleaned from the Howard County News

January 1953

St. Sign Order Placed by V.F.C.
   Purchase order for street signs for all intersections within corporate limits of Greentown has been placed by the Volunteer Fire Company, it was announced today.
 
Officials Rehired by Town Board
   Hiring of officials and employees for the new year and payment of 1952 bills headed the agenda for the town boards regular meeting in the Civic Center last night.
    Rehired by unanimous vote of members present were John L. Harper, town marshal: Bert Owens, street maintenance, and LeRoy Lacey, Jr., town attorney.
   Harper was rehired at $3850 for the twelve month period:  Owens at $60 per month, and Lacey at $100 for the year.

Further Study Decided Upon
   Nothing like having the bull by the tail -- and with the boundary line question, the Town Board seems to have latched onto a big one.
   Action Wednesday night saw another postponement on the adoption of the survey and plat drawn up a few months ago and then tabled and re--tabled.
   Formal motion as passed by the board was "to postpone the establishing of the survey and plan until the county records, and if necessary, records at the State House in Indianapolis, are searched further to determine status of corporation lines."
   Consensus of opinion of both board members and interested parties who attended the meeting was that present status of the lines is elusive.
   The number of property owners affected by the proposed plat are nearly unanimous in the stand "to include me out."
 
January 1973

Teacher Group Asks Change in Corporal Punishment Policy
   A hearing on a requested change in existing policy covering corporal punishment will be held at the Eastern School Board meeting, at 7:30 Tuesday in the team teaching room.  The meeting will be open to the board of school trustees and all interested patrons.
   A group of elementary teachers objecting to corporal punishment being given in the principal's office has requested the change.  Teachers in the group desire to give the punishment whenever and wherever they desire.

January 1983

Midway Change Switches HC Fair Dates
   Howard County residents heading for the 4-H fairground in early August this year will be in for a surprise.  They'll have missed the fair.
   The 1983 event will be held July 24-30, a week earlier than the normal August dates, said fair chairman Melvin Hall.
   "The main reason it was moved was in order to get the quality midway we thought we needed," Hall said.  "There aren't many midways big enough or high-quality enough to handle our fair anymore."
   Pugh Amusements of Lancaster, Ohio, will supply the Howard County 4-H Fair's midway this summer, replacing Deggeller Attractions of Sarasota, Fla.  The Ohio amusement company provided the midway in 1978 and 1979, but was replaced by Deggeller in 1980.  In 1981, Johnny's United Shows of Tampa, Fla., was responsible for the rides and midway booths, but Deggeller was back again last year.
   "The rides looked like they were ready for the antique show," said fair secretary Phil Hood after the 1982 event.  "It just wasn't up to our standards."
   Hood said Bob Pugh's amusement company is one of the largest ones in the business today.  "We're supposed to have a state fair-type midway (this year)," Hood said.  Immediately following Howard County's fair, Pugh will take his midway to the Ohio State Fair.

Honored by Jaycees
   Dennis Maple, 12561 E. Road 300 North was named Outstanding Young Farmer of the Year last week by the Kokomo Jaycees.
   The rural Greentown resident was one of five Howard County men to receive awards as Outstanding Young Men of the Year.
   Other winners include Bruce Gordon Parkinson, Outstanding Hoosier, Steven R. Barton, Outstand Law Enforcement Officer, Jack Mellinger, Outstanding Firefighter, and Jon Russell, Outstanding Businessman.