Return of the Shinpig

These pretty pink pigs are situated at both corners of the Putnam County Jail announcing the annual emergency personnel hog roast and games.

GREENCASTLE -- The third annual Putnam County Emergency Services Hog Roast/Cornhole Tournament is set for Sept. 26 at Fenwick Park.

"Shinpig '09 provides a free dinner to all Putnam County Emergency Services Personnel and their families to show appreciation for another year of safe service," explained Greencastle Police Officer Ed Wilson.

This year along with the dinner will be a cornhole tournament open to emergency service personnel only. The two-person teams can be a combination of any department. The competition begins at 2 p.m.

Special handmade trophies have been designed for the winners of this event.

Cost is $20 per team and registration is required. Forms can be picked up at the fire department or police station and should be returned to Wilson at GPD or Bob Campbell at Greencastle Fire Department.

New to Shinpig this year is the "Battle for the Paddle," a six-person tug-of-war. This event is replacing the tug-of-war formerly held at Robe-Ann Park during the July 4 celebration. It is free to all departments.

Teams must consist of six people all from the same department. This event begins at 5 p.m.

A traveling trophy will be awarded to the winner along with bragging rights.

Dinner includes roast hog, potato salad, baked beans, chili and chips. Food service begins at noon.

Everything for the event is donated by local businesses.

"We get plates, silverware, food and other items from a lot of different businesses around the county," said Wilson. "It's all a celebration of having a safe year for everybody."

"As always, music, drinks and fun are provided, all you need to bring is your appetite and lawn chairs," added Wilson.

Goodtimers Inc. was created in 2007 by Wilson and Campbell to provide sporting events for enjoyment, fellowship and friendly competition while providing a helping hand for those in the county's emergency services family.

Wilson has served as a police officer and deputy sheriff in Putnam County for over nine years.

Campbell is a lifelong resident of Greencastle and has worked for the Greencastle fire department for 14 years. He also works part-time for Putnam County Operation Life Ambulance and he is an active member of the Hoosier burn camp.

The two men decided to create a fund that would be used to monetarily assisting emergency services members in time of crisis.

"We decided to start hosting sports tournaments against competing departments, and using the entry fee money for this fund," says Campbell on the organization's Web site.

"Not only did this find us an avenue for this fund, it also created wonderful camaraderie between our local departments," he added.

Any emergency services personnel wishing to participate in either the cornhole tournament or tug-of-war should contact Wilson at 301-0426 or Campbell at 719-0493 or email them at goodtimersinc@yahoo.com. More information is available at their Web site www.goodtimersinc.com