The idea of reading the Declaration of Independence from the steps of the Putnam County Courthouse at noon on Independence Day was the brainchild of James Champion of Greencastle. After approval by the Putnam County Commissioners, he and Paul Champion read the document aloud on Wednesday. With the cooperation of Greencastle Parks and Recreation and Friends of the Park, they repeated the reading during Celebrate 4 event at Robe-Ann Park. The Champions are thinking of making the reading a yearly event.