Putnam County welcomes torch relay Thursday

PUTNAMVILLE — Having already crossed Indiana three times through 38 counties in Southern and Central Indiana, the Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay will make its way to Putnam County on Thursday.

The first official appearance will be at 5 p.m. in at the Putnamville United Methodist Church and retored doctor’s office museum.

With Makenzie Carr riding a tractor north from Putnamville, the torch will begin its three-hour trip across the county, making its way through Greencastle, Fillmore, Heritage Lake and Bainbridge before the Putnam County route finishes at Baker’s Camp Covered Bridge with Malcolm Romine as the final torchbearer.

In between, the route will pass 12 different celebration sites while being carried by 21 different local residents (page 2B).

Celebration sites, hosts and approximate times of arrival include:

1. Putnamville United Methodist Church, Keith and Cheryl Berry, 5 p.m.

2 Forest Hill Cemetery/Civil War Monument, Heritage Preservation Society representatives Phil Gick and Margaret Kenton, 5:20 p.m.

3. Robe-Ann Park/DAR Cabin, DAR representative Jinsie Bingham, 5:30 p.m.

4. DePauw East College, Kappa Alpha Theta representatives Noraleen Young and Julianne Butler, 5:35 p.m.

5. Courthouse Square, Brian Cox and Sharon Hammond, 5:45 p.m.

6. Greencastle High School, Jennifer Wilson, 6 p.m.

7. People Pathways Trail Shelter (Greencastle), Melanie Welker and Brooke Taylor, 6:15 p.m.

8. People Pathways Trail Shelter (Fillmore), Debbi Christy, 6:30 p.m.

9. Fillmore Community Volunteer Fire Station, Jamie Bunten, 6:50 p.m.

10. Floyd Township Fire Station, Phyllis Legan and Heritage Heartland Extension Homemakers (Megan Ebacher and Sharon Black), 7:15 p.m.

11. Bainbridge Elementary School; Cindy and Darrell Wiatt, 7:45 p.m.

– Bainbridge Main Street, Monica Bray and Jerry Lents

– East Point Park, Monica Bray and Donna Tippin

12. Baker’s Camp Bridge, Alice Beck and Monica Bray, 8 p.m.

The celebration at Baker’s Camp Covered Bridge will include multiple events as the torch prepares to leave Putnam County and resume its route in Hendricks County the next morning, including a cookout, fireworks and Romine lighting the bicentennial cauldron, while reciting the following words:

Every day, Hoosiers from all walks of life and every corner of our great state embrace the important symbolism represented by the Indiana Bicentennial Torch Relay. The bonds among people, between communities and across generations takes on new significance. 

As another day comes to a close, we extinguish the torch but preserve the flame in this cauldron. The flame will remain lit here until morning when the torch is rekindled and the next leg of the journey begins.

The flame will continue to burn as a reminder during the next 21 days of the everlasting light that shines on Indiana’s future.

Upon exiting Putnam County, the torch will have traveled for 12 days, covering 39 counties and 1,361 miles.