Pat Smith
Greensburg Daily News
Greensburg —
I hope that since last week's column someone found a picture of the Rock Creek Baptist Church before 1947 when it was turned facing a different direction or maybe former members or ministers. When driving down to the church that will be celebrating its 175th anniversary October 10 this fall, Joan and I saw the Sardina Baptist Church that is also having its 175th celebration. Coming back we stopped at the Westport Covered Bridge which, compared to the church, is a mere youngster at only 130 years old. Then we stopped at the Downtown Restaurant.
Years ago I saw a lot of men, most of whom I knew, sitting around a large table in that restaurant. They were in deep conversation. I later wrote a column wondering what men talk about when they get together. Longtime friends Bob Conwell and Dwight Shera invited me down to listen in.
I told Joan about that and as we entered the same restaurant last week there sat several men at the same table deep in conversation. I may have missed getting some names but I know that Dean Holcomb, Dick Sullivan, Jim Brodie, Charles Whitehead, Dave Johnston, Don Carson, Dale Blauvelt and Bill Houpey were at the table. A younger generation to be sure than those of years before but they were as friendly and helpful. Phillip and Sue Stainbrook run it. We left thinking Westport is lucky to have such a friendly place where people can meet and chat. There are pictures of Westport's Covered Bridge in all kinds of weather hanging on the walls of the restaurant.
Melanie Maxwell said the Covered Bridge and festival is one of the images that has already been used by Copy Paste Productions on a video. It will promote this area online and at trade shows. She said several sites have already been filmed including The Last Supper Museum, Stapp's Circle S Ranch and our Farmer's Market. I look forward to seeing the finished product.
Not long ago I told you about Gary Grieve and Mark Keillor and their song 'Grieving Hearts' that has helped raised a lot of money for the Relay for Life event here. It's taken on a life of its own and been used in many locations all over the country to benefit our families and friends and people we don't know that are fighting a disease.
In fact, the song has done so well that now Gary tells me that Mark has written another song titled 'Pink Ribbon Tango' to help raise money for breast cancer research. Gary and I will let you know when it's available. You can still get a copy of 'Grieving Hearts' by getting in touch with Gary in Greensburg or Mark at markkeillor@hotmail.com. You probably feel as I do that it's a special thing to hear music that came from the idea of one Decatur County resident and the talent of a former resident.
I attended one of the Community Foundation breakfasts where we could vote for the recipient of this year's gift. The young people that were awarded the Community Foundation Scholarships this year were our servers. It sure does perk one up quite a bit to see smart young people on their way. Jenni Hanna, Internet columnist for the Daily News was there. I wanted to tell her how much I enjoy her columns but never got close enough to tell her.
August 28 is the day of the 'Walk a Mile in Her Shoes' on the Courthouse Square. If you want to laugh a lot while helping victims of domestic abuse be sure be on the square and even help in some way. There'll be refreshments, chair massage, kids games, face painting, pedi party for men, live music, prizes for first man and woman to finish, best dress man, money turned in for men and women. Registration at 10 a.m. until 10:45. It's funny as can be to see men walk about in high heels but they are a special bunch to do this for a very tough problem.
Here's something I guarantee you'll enjoy: Decatur County Historian Russell Wilhoit suggests that we will like the site Those Old Westerns that tells who all those minor characters were that were in the old westerns as saloon keepers, blacksmiths etc. It's a video and shows Hoot Gibson, Tim McCoy, Wayne Morris, Tom Tyler, George Montgomery and a bunch of others that played in the old westerns. Having never been a big fan of westerns it was a surprise at how many I recognized. I must have liked them more than first thought.
Please feel free to email me at patjsmith@verizon.net (or frontier.net) or send to 122 W. Sheridan, Greensburg.
