Greencastle Banner-Graphic: Opinion

Local Columnists

Shop Extension for stocking stuffers and tax aid (11/16/09)
Shop Purdue Extension for Stocking Stuffers and Tax Help! Many have started or soon will be thinking about presents and preparation for holiday meals. Also there is the coming need of being prepared by year end from a tax standpoint. If you would like to lessen state income tax burden, you can always make a donation to your local Extension Office. ...

Congratulations, Master Gardeners (11/09/09)
I am proud to announce we have 17 new Master Gardener Volunteers. This spring's class has 17 volunteers, who have taken 12 weeks of classes where they learned about soils, plant science, weeds, plant diseases, insects, vegetable gardening, trees, flower gardening, home lawns, animal pests, pesticide safety, composting, flower gardening, and many other subjects...

Beef up calving knowledge (10/26/09)
A great opportunity for beef project 4-H'ers and beef producers alike is forthcoming locally on November 5 at 6:30 PM in Harris Hall, Putnam County Fairgrounds. This is the joint meeting of the Area 5 Purdue Extension and Indiana Beef Cattle Association (IBCA). The IBCA region representative will also be elected at this meeting. A ribeye steak sandwich meal will be provided and there is no charge for the program...

Letters to the Editor

Extension homemakers had a great night (11/18/09)
To the Editor: On Thursday, October 22 the Putnam County Extension Homemakers' Membership Committee held a "Rock & Roll Movie Night and Sock Hop" in the Community Building at the Putnam County Fairgrounds to raise money for Putnam County Coats for Kids. ...

A word of thanks for our community servants (11/18/09)
To the Police, Fire, an EMS of Greencastle: This afternoon, my mother was in a car accident in Greencastle, I live 40 miles away and was not able to get there as quickly as I would have liked to. After talking to her companion on the phone I was certain she would be fine, and after talking with her in person when I arrived, I was sure of it. To you, I want to extend the greatest thanks for your prompt attention and care for her...

Community made bazaar a success (11/18/09)
To the Editor: Thank you citizens, the Spirit of Christmas and community was alive and well at St. Paul the Apostle Ladies Guild annual Christmas Bazaar this past Saturday (November 14th). We need to thank many for their assistance: Maribeth Ward for the fine front page article "Women's guild. . . history of service" complete with a photograph. The many contributors of candy, baked goodies, handmade crafts, Rada Knives and nut sales by the Nutty Ladies...

Thanks from Coats for Kids committee (11/18/09)
To the Editor: On behalf of the Putnam County Youth Development Commission we would like to thank the many individuals, businesses, industries and schools that contributed to the success of our 10th annual Coats for Kids Campaign. Because of the efforts of so many, over 700 coats were distributed at Harris Hall at the Putnam County Fairgrounds on Saturday, October 31...

Community helps 'Attack for the Cure' (11/18/09)
To the Editor: The Greencastle and South Putnam volleyball teams would like to thank everyone in the community for helping make our first annual Attack for the Cure a success. Together with our friends, families and the help of our local businesses, we raised over $2,000 to pay for mammograms for those in need right here in Putnam County...

Daughter grateful for kindnesses (11/13/09)
To the Editor: As I continue to receive cards and notes regarding Mother's passing, I am reminded once again that her life has been a gift to so many. The priceless handmade items she made and shared with so many, the crocheted names, bedspreads, tablecloths and other articles are her legacy of love given to each of us...

Reader thanks Ellsworth for vote (11/13/09)
To the Editor: Dear Brad Ellsworth, I'd like to thank you publicly for voting in a positive way for health care reform. Since you declared yourself as "blue dog" Democrat on one of your recent newsletters, I was concerned that you would side with the for profit health care industry's lies and deceit. ...

HMOs have decreased in quality, increased in price (11/13/09)
To the Editor: HMOs have been around since the 1970s. At first, they were adequate; however, the original level of care has continually decreased, while price has risen. Rep. B. Ellsworth voted correctly on the house bill (HR3962) this weekend. Now the bill goes to the senate to be passed...

Speeds around Heritage Lake are excessive (11/13/09)
To the Editor: Welcome to all to visit Heritage Lake. It is unlike any other place I have lived. The stop signs here mean yield, merge or slow. People either do not understand the word stop or are just in too big a hurry. All the roads are double yellow lined, which I believe means no passing...

Veteran remembers sacrifices of those before him (11/13/09)
To the Editor: It's easy to get excited about Veteran's Day for me, as I myself am a veteran. Because I am a veteran does not leave me exempt from appreciating the sacrifices that the soldiers that walked in boots before me made -- it actually means a little more...

Students, adults moved by cermony (11/13/09)
To the Editor: Last week there was an editorial in the Indianapolis Star indicating how sad it was that grade school students were in class on Veterans' Day. They did not have the opportunity to participate in the parades and other celebrations for the day...

Retired dentist has fond memories (11/13/09)
To the Editor: A few days ago it occurred to me that I have been a citizen of Greencastle for one-half century. Yes, 50 years ago (1959) in the first week of October, I opened a dental practice on Hanna Street. With lots of help from family members, I had converted a house at 508 E. Hanna into a two-chair dental office with living quarters upstairs. Marie Borer was my next-door neighbor, and she was my first dental assistance in Greencastle...

Museum looking for County Home stories (11/06/09)
To the Editor, Oh, what tales the walls of Green Acres could tell us about the Putnam County Home -- now empty and silent. So we have to rely on you to share your stories with us as the Putnam County Museum prepares an exhibit keynoting the history of that local landmark...

Volunteers make the museum possible (11/06/09)
To the Editor: Doubtlessly, you are already aware of how wonderful, how important, it is to preserve our past. It has been said that knowledge of our history, our heritage, is what makes us human, what gives depth to our lives. A small museum like the Putnam County Museum cannot exist, though, without volunteers like you!...

Concern with a county servant (10/28/09)
To the Editor: My statement should be prefaced by two assertions. First, I have never submitted an editorial comment to the Banner Graphic, even though there have been times I felt moved to do so, and I would never offer an opinion in the unsigned "Speak Out" section...

May the truth prevail! (10/28/09)
To the Editor: To SPGraduate, Pasteagle, and to any and all concerned parties: Being an educator for 30 years, I can honestly say that I do not believe that there is any school corporation that does not show some form of favoritism. I have personally known and been involved with Mr. Campbell for over 15 years. I have found Mr. Campbell to be a very upright, hardworking, and dedicated person...

Just a gentle reminder (10/23/09)
To the Editor: This is just a gentle reminder: The Lord put each of us on this Earth to first know and love Him, and then to love and care for everyone he brings into our life. Alice Via Greencastle

Step up and help a child in need (10/23/09)
To the Editor: Sadly, reports of child abuse, neglect, abandonment, and even death make the news headlines nearly every day. In some instances, these tragic events could not have been predicted or prevented; however, in most cases, someone could have intervened early on to help prevent the abuse or neglect from occurring...

Thanks for making Chalk Art Bash a success (10/23/09)
To the Editor: On September 19, the Putnam County Convention & Visitor Bureau held it's third annual Sidewalk Chalk Art Bash on the downtown square. Pre-planning, diligent volunteers and generous donations are what made this event a huge success and could not have been possible without the financial and volunteer support from within the county. ...

Breaking down obstacles to higher education (10/23/09)
To the Editor: Our country is facing a crisis in education and in Indiana we are changing the way we think about what higher learning means to our future. According to the U.S. Education Secretary, 55-60 year olds in the U.S. today have the highest high school and college graduation rates of any advanced economy in the world. et, among 25-34 year olds, we are below average for high school graduation and middle of the pack for college graduation rates...