Gleaned from the Howard County News
September 1951
Around the Town Pump
For the first time in many years the business district of Greentown is without a “town pump.”
In this modern age of an ample supply of hot and cold water faucets in almost every home, a community hand pump doesn’t seem of much importance; yet, that bright yellow pump at the main intersection had practically become a land mark in this area. More than one dear soul has been known to reply, “Greentown! Oh, yes, that’s that pretty little town with the tree-lined wide streets and pump right in the middle of town!”
There was a day, however, when a pump wasn’t just an obstruction on a state highway, but a necessity to the townspeople.
More than three-quarters of a century ago, when Greentown was in its early growing stages, there was a “public” pump located on the Billy Sims’ corner just west of the present Hudson Grocery store. The late Walter Hamer remembered this well as being practically the only well in town at that time, so many citizens were dependent on it for their water.
Mr. Sims, being a grocer and eager to keep his customer happy, was quite generous with the well, and as a result, on Monday mornings the “town pump” was a bee hive of activity. Even so long ago, women were doing the family laundry on Monday and Sims’ well furnished most of the water for the wash tubs.
The procession seemed almost endless. Numerous citizens appeared in the early morning carrying tubs or buckets which had to be filled and returned to the scene of the washing. Many times it was necessary to make more than one trip.
But times changed, wells became more numerous and the supply of water more plentiful.
Still the town pump was an important item. Town and country folks alike depended many times upon public wells for watering their horses, and when the period and scene changed once more, it was the horseless carriages that needed to be watered—
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Photos from Art & Photography Show
These photos are just a sampling of what was on display during the Greentown Art & Photography Show, which was August 13, 2011.
Best of Show - "Untitled" by Brandon Smith
"Aunt De'ane" by Madison Sparks
"True Love" by Sherrill Temby
"Purple and White Iris" by Shirley Quakenbush
"The Glass Flower" by Marcia Brantley
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Monday, August 1, 2011
Dream Becoming a Reality
Dale Armfield, now 87 years old, has watched the round barn built by his grandfather, Lawrence Armfield, slowly fall into disrepair. The barn was built in 1909 at Guy, 3 miles south of Greentown. His dream was that the barn be preserved on site or moved and restored. After years of exploring possibilities, a solution fell into place when the current owner, Ronda Moyers, donated the barn to the Greentown Lions Club. The Lions were happy to receive such a gift, which will add an important feature to the Pioneer Village at the fairgrounds. Dismantling began in Mid-May, foundation and floor were completed, and the framework was begun during the week of the Howard County 4-H Fair. Trillum Dell Timberworks is doing the framing. The Lions Club is contracting or donating their labor for the rest.
Dinner for Barn Raisers
When a crew from Trillium Dell Timberworks returned to Greentown to “raise some rafters” during the week of July 25-28, barn donor, Ronda Moyers and her niece, Angie Sparks, provided a home-cooked dinner for the crew each day. Left to right are: John Ryan, Rob Beard, Matt Jenkins, Rick Collins (Trillium Dell owner), Jared Algren, Thomas Perraud (engineering intern visiting from France), and Tim McGee.
Taking Shape With the first set of rafters in place, the form of the round barn is taking shape. The derrick tower in the center was reclaimed from the original barn, as was about half the rafters and half the studs.
Photos by Rachel Jenkins
Dinner for Barn Raisers
When a crew from Trillium Dell Timberworks returned to Greentown to “raise some rafters” during the week of July 25-28, barn donor, Ronda Moyers and her niece, Angie Sparks, provided a home-cooked dinner for the crew each day. Left to right are: John Ryan, Rob Beard, Matt Jenkins, Rick Collins (Trillium Dell owner), Jared Algren, Thomas Perraud (engineering intern visiting from France), and Tim McGee.
Taking Shape With the first set of rafters in place, the form of the round barn is taking shape. The derrick tower in the center was reclaimed from the original barn, as was about half the rafters and half the studs.
Photos by Rachel Jenkins
Flash Backs
Gleaned from the Howard County News
We were only able to use a portion of this in the printed edition. Enjoy and look for names you know.
August 1951
State Bank of Greentown Gets the “New Look”
Another community landmark started undergoing a transformation this week when the State Bank of Greentown began to shed its familiar grey cement blocks and lost its “leaning” second floor.
The redecoration—in the offing for some time—is expected to be completed within the next few months.
The building was originally constructed in 1905-6 by Billy Manring and J.P. Kightlinger, who operated a furniture store there for three years.
Blocks for construction were shipped from Bluffton by one of the earliest cement block companies in this section.
Manring and Kightlinger traded the building to Turner and Robinson of Casey, Ill., who started the Farmers and Merchants Bank on Jan. 1, 1910.
The State Bank of Greentown, so named in 1903, bought the building and took over in May of 1912, absorbing the Farmers and Merchants. The State Bank, until that time, had offices in the building now occupied by the Cigar Store.
New construction will drop the ceiling of the bank an estimated four feet. An L-shaped counter will be installed, with a five-foot lobby on the side. Four teller windows will be on the counter. Officers will be in the rear. Tentative plans call for a private meeting room and the addition of a safety deposit vault.
Brick will start to be laid next week and the present glass window in the front removed.
Jr. Legion Ball Club See Double Header at Chicago Sunday
Members of the Greentown Junior Legion Baseball team were treated to an all-day outing to Chicago Sunday by the American Legion and co-sponsors of the ball club, the Ford Home.
The afternoon was spent at Wrigley Field watching the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburg Pirates split a doubleheader. After the games they
We were only able to use a portion of this in the printed edition. Enjoy and look for names you know.
August 1951
State Bank of Greentown Gets the “New Look”
Another community landmark started undergoing a transformation this week when the State Bank of Greentown began to shed its familiar grey cement blocks and lost its “leaning” second floor.
The redecoration—in the offing for some time—is expected to be completed within the next few months.
The building was originally constructed in 1905-6 by Billy Manring and J.P. Kightlinger, who operated a furniture store there for three years.
Blocks for construction were shipped from Bluffton by one of the earliest cement block companies in this section.
Manring and Kightlinger traded the building to Turner and Robinson of Casey, Ill., who started the Farmers and Merchants Bank on Jan. 1, 1910.
The State Bank of Greentown, so named in 1903, bought the building and took over in May of 1912, absorbing the Farmers and Merchants. The State Bank, until that time, had offices in the building now occupied by the Cigar Store.
New construction will drop the ceiling of the bank an estimated four feet. An L-shaped counter will be installed, with a five-foot lobby on the side. Four teller windows will be on the counter. Officers will be in the rear. Tentative plans call for a private meeting room and the addition of a safety deposit vault.
Brick will start to be laid next week and the present glass window in the front removed.
Jr. Legion Ball Club See Double Header at Chicago Sunday
Members of the Greentown Junior Legion Baseball team were treated to an all-day outing to Chicago Sunday by the American Legion and co-sponsors of the ball club, the Ford Home.
The afternoon was spent at Wrigley Field watching the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburg Pirates split a doubleheader. After the games they
Thursday, July 21, 2011
School Consolidation
Why the Size of Our Schools (and Our Community) Matters
by Todd Ream, Guest Op-Ed Columnist
Communities such as Greentown share a special relationship with their schools. Over the years students all get to know each other even across those arbitrary social lines that form during the teenage years. Teachers afford us with a substantive version of what it means to be celebrities, providing wisdom and guidance to our children beyond matters of reading and arithmetic. We cheer on the sports teams and are inspired by the concerts. In the end, the relationship shared by our schools and our community is special because the size of both demands that everyone has a need and a place to invest.
Not everyone, however, believes that the size of our schools and the kinds of relationships they develop with their communities is enough to justify five school corporations in Howard County. In fact, John Floyd, retired Chrysler employee and current columnist for The Kokomo Perspective, used his leverage to convince his fellow members of the Citizens Consolidation Committee to conduct the first of their five public forums on the topic of school consolidation. This first session is scheduled for Wednesday, August 3, 2011, in IU Kokomo’s Havens Auditorium, 7 to 9 p.m. The underlying logic
by Todd Ream, Guest Op-Ed Columnist
Communities such as Greentown share a special relationship with their schools. Over the years students all get to know each other even across those arbitrary social lines that form during the teenage years. Teachers afford us with a substantive version of what it means to be celebrities, providing wisdom and guidance to our children beyond matters of reading and arithmetic. We cheer on the sports teams and are inspired by the concerts. In the end, the relationship shared by our schools and our community is special because the size of both demands that everyone has a need and a place to invest.
Not everyone, however, believes that the size of our schools and the kinds of relationships they develop with their communities is enough to justify five school corporations in Howard County. In fact, John Floyd, retired Chrysler employee and current columnist for The Kokomo Perspective, used his leverage to convince his fellow members of the Citizens Consolidation Committee to conduct the first of their five public forums on the topic of school consolidation. This first session is scheduled for Wednesday, August 3, 2011, in IU Kokomo’s Havens Auditorium, 7 to 9 p.m. The underlying logic
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Eastern School Corp wil be at the Fair
Eastern School Corporation will have a booth in the Commercial Building during the Howard County 4-H Fair July 11-16. The booth will feature free bottled water and Comet fans (supplies limited). In addition, fair-goers will have a chance to meet school officials, sign up preschool students and receive free books through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library (available only to residents of the Eastern school district), and win $50 gas cards (donated by sponsors) or two tickets to the Eastern spring musical. Students can experiment with iPads at one of the three iPad stations located at the Eastern booth.
Also during the fair, parents and students can sign up to transfer – at no cost – into the Eastern school district, per Corporation guidelines.
Also during the fair, parents and students can sign up to transfer – at no cost – into the Eastern school district, per Corporation guidelines.
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