Thomas to be roasted

Saturday, February 20, 2010

Darrel Thomas will be the "relic" roasted this year at the Putnam County Museum's annual Roast A Relic event.

Thomas, the current president of the Putnam County Council, was born in California and graduated from high school in Terre Haute. He is an Indiana University graduate, and the Purdue Extension Service hired him just after his college graduation.

Following a two-year stint in Vietnam with the U.S. Navy Reserves, Thomas came to Putnam County as an extension agent for the Putnam County office of the Purdue Extension Service. He remained in that position for 30 years and was appointed director in 1989.

In 1981, Thomas won the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents Distinguished Service Award. The governor honored him with the Sagamore of the Wabash in 2005.

In addition to his seat on the county council, today Thomas is a committee member for People Pathways and has been involved with the Putnam County Ag Week breakfast "forever." He is also currently the president of the Indiana Federation of the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association.

The community is invited to the March 7 Roast A Relic event to hear roasters Dorothy Edwards, Lauralee Baugh, Gary Ellsworth, members of Thomas' family and others anxious to spill the truth about Thomas.

Rick Parent will be the emcee and is certain to keep things moving, said Tanis Monday, director of PCM.

"Laughter is the goal of the day," she said.

The Fret Set will be on hand to entertain, and Treasures on the Square will provide a chocolate fountain for guests.

Tickets are $15 per person and for an additional $5, anyone can stand and "take a shot at the man of the hour," Monday said.

Roast A Relic will begin at 2 p.m, and will be held at the Putnam County Fairgrounds. Tickets are available at the museum or at the door the night of the event.

To RSVP or for more information, call the museum at 653-8419.

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: