Letter to the Editor

Community rallied behind Fourth of July

Friday, July 11, 2008

To the Editor:

How do we measure the vitality of a community?

There are many perspectives. What I still see vividly in my memory are thousands of people coming to Robe-Ann Park on July 4 to celebrate our nation's independence.

Through a rainy 5K walk/run, a dampened dog fashion show, face painting, jousting, basketball, great food, tests of strength, children's games, corn toss competition, pie baking, and pinewood derbies to fireworks and families we had it all … and people came. Young and old, families and singles, it was a good place to be.

This hasn't been an easy year to raise money, to find volunteer help, and to not worry about the next tank of gas. Here in Greencastle, people came together. They wanted there to be a celebration. What a celebration it was -- not perfect, they never are, but for a few hours we all enjoyed being where we were and what we were doing.

I'd like to thank the many volunteers who gave of their time and talents to make our Celebrate 4 day possible. Special thanks to the Greencastle Parks and Recreation Department who somehow made it all seem simple, our Greencastle Police and Fire Departments who were there to ensure our safety and to the many people, vendors and organizations, who even in these trying times, decided to help make this Fourth of July a special celebration.

Thank you to our sponsors: Duke Energy, Heartland Automotive, Greencastle Chamber of Commerce, Headley Hardware, Hendricks Power Cooperative, IAC, Old National Bank, Putnam County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Wal-Mart Distribution Center, Wal-Mart Super Center, Buzzi Unicem, Casa Grande, Cash Concrete, Cinergy MetroNet, Crow Chizek, HBG Insurance and Bonds, Hannnum, Wagle and Cline/Garmong, Jackson Hewitt, Dr. Dale Oliver, Banner Graphic, Putnam County Community Foundation, Servicemaster of Greencastle, Silverwood Signs, Carpenters Local 859, FB Distro, Madonna Gose, Hoosier Topics, AA Huber and Sons, Frank and Marie LaRoche, Murray and Associates and Taylor Made Awards.

We couldn't have done it without you.

Greencastle is indeed a good place to be.

Mayor Sue Murray

Greencastle