A Sad Day for Crothersville

It is a sad day for Crothersville! Something wonderful has ended. Hamacher Hall and the Heritage Haus Restaurant are now a thing of the past. There was an article in last night's (Seymour) Tribune attempting to explain it all, but the future is particularly unclear. I do not believe that Hamacher Hall, designated Crothersville's historical and cultural arts center, had outlived its purpose. It became whatever it needed to be at the time--a place to display Indiana history artifacts, a place for scarecrow and tree-trimming contests, a place for individuals to combine their pieces of Crothersville history into a more complete picture, a place to perform amateur play productions, a place for area musicians to perform, a place to host meetings, and occasionally a place for grander, more formal events. The food at the restaurant was always delicious, and the tea was unsurpassed. Marcia Fleetwood, the director, obviously was dedicated to every aspect of her work, and was innovative in her approach, while not ignoring lessons from past experience.

I am grieved that the Crothersville community was not more welcoming, accepting, and encouraging of Marcia and her efforts. She worked wholeheartedly and sacrificially at the task she had accepted. It is disheartening to see one's efforts brought to nought. Community support was to a great extent lacking for any endeavor which was undertaken. Surely Crothersville still needs a place to display its history, a place to host meetings, and another restaurant. Surely it is to our advantage to have a place for performing and enjoying music, plays, and special events. So what happens now? We go out of town for what we want and need, instead of obtaining at least some of those experiences locally. If Crothersville is to make progress in becoming what it has the potential to become, then Crothersville's people are going to have to examine their attitudes toward "strangers" and "outsiders." We are going to have to do more than talk about our small-town friendliness and Hoosier hospitality; we are going to have to practice it! We are going to have to get to know newcomers, rather than just listen to others' opinions or gossip!

In Memory

of

Carl Franklin (Frank) Sanders

March 1, 1920 - September 26, 2000

My Dad

My dad loved me. I was "Daddy's Little Girl," his firstborn. I remember how he worked every day at Crane (NAD then) as an Electronics Technician. I remember when he would pick berries or get pawpaws over by the river, or cook rabbit or squirrel, or just fix breakfast once in a while. When I was very young he would buy these little pencil drawings from me for a nickel. He installed indoor plumbing in our house; he was quite a handyman. He was organized and smart, even though he did not have a high school diploma. He took a correspondence course to learn radio and TV repair, and he repaired them for not very much money, since he knew no one had much. He used to go to Bedford to get parts, and he carried this caddy around. He could also wire houses and inspect wiring. Those were ways of adding to his income. And he added rooms onto our house as the family grew larger.

He used to take us for rides on Sunday afternoons. And I remember one time that he took me to Queen's Clothing Store in Shoals to get a dress and shoes for a band concert. (The dress was coral and had tucks in front and a gathered skirt.) I also remember how he would transport me to church, and later to Bible college.

I remember when he "gave me away" at my wedding. He wouldn't take sides when John and I argued, and he probably had more empathy with John's physical difficulties than anyone I know. He spent time with our sons, and he thought they turned out well--he told me so!

Dad wasn't very demonstrative, but I remember that at some point in his later years, I started kissing him good-bye when I left, and later it became the expected thing. In his later years he accepted Christ and was baptized, and I remember the sermon at his funeral about the workers who worked different amounts of time but received the same reward. It will be a joy to see him again in eternity!

I know my Dad was always proud of all of us, his seven children; he sacrificed for us and gave us everything he could, and I know he often went in debt doing it! The person he was was shown in the things he did and the care with which he did them.

(Tribute and lots of photos on thewarrens-cliffandsusan.blogspot.com)

I HAVE A DREAM!

I have a dream! I dream of Crothersville becoming a thriving little town with several businesses and specialty shops worth getting off the interstate or just stopping in to check out and patronize.

I dream of a town that is not dying or even just surviving, but actually thriving. (That means healthy and growing.)

I dream of a town which provides an inviting town park for all to use. I dream of a town which provides a community center and activities for its citizens of varying ages. I dream of a town where all are educated appropriately, and where families are proud to made their homes and proud of the homes they make. I dream of a town where the churches are almost filled (that leaves room for a few more).

I dream of a town which appreciates and advertises its positives, and recognizes and overcomes its weaknesses--a place where citizens work together. I dream of a town which shines because of all it is and has and offers. I dream of the time when Crothersville is regarded as a small but precious jewel of a place--a little town with lots to offer. Yes, I do have a dream! How about you?

FAITH****FAMILIES***FRIENDS****FUTURE

IN MEMORY

This space is dedicated

to the memory of

JOHN FREDERICK HOLZWORTH

December 12, 1939

-

December 8, 1996

A Christmas Poem by Joseph Bayly

Praise Him for the incarnation,
for the Word made flesh.
I will not sing of shepherds
watching flocks on frosty nights,
or angel choristers.
I will not sing of a stable bare in Bethlehem,
or lowing oxen,
wise men trailing star with gold,
frankincense, and myrrh.
Tonight I will sing praise to the Father
who stood on heaven's threshold
and said farewell to his Son
as he stepped across the stars
to Bethlehem and Jerusalem.
And I will sing praise to the infinite, eternal Son
who became most finite, a baby
who would one day be executed for my crime.
Praise him in the heavens,
Praise him in the stable,
Praise him in my heart.

John 1 gives a nontraditional look at Christmas. You
might want to read it in conjunction with Joseph Bayly's
profound poem, which has become one of my favorites.
Philippians 2:5-11 is also an appropriate scripture passage.

UNCHANGING

Following the recent election, Barack Obama was elected to become the next U. S. President. Whatever your opinion of this candidate, we know that his campaign was based on the need for change. Some changes are necessary, inevitable, and/or desirable. Some are not! A change in the executive branch of government was necessary and inevitable. Hopefully Obama will make the desirable, needed changes in an open and amenable way.

Meanwhile, change happens all around us. I have certainly changed over my 62 years. The seasons change over the course of the year. Industry, transportation, music, fashion, technology, and many other things continue to change. Progress is often synonymous with change. Change is often part of growth.

BUT SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE! The God in whom I have placed my faith has never changed, although my understanding of Him has no doubt changed. His love is a constant. God's desire for fellowship with mankind has not changed. His church, although not always engaged in appropriate activities, still stands. The Word of God abides forever. And the place prepared for us is eternal, which means forever, unchanging.

As the hymn, Great is thy Faithfulness, says so well:

Great is thy faithfulness, O God my Father,

There is no shadow of turning with Thee;

Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not;

As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.

(Chorus)

Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness!

Morning by morning new mercies I see;

All I have needed Thy hand hath provided--

Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!

Thomas O. Chisholm, p.17, Sing Joyfully

Crothersville Was Buzzing with Activity

Last night (Halloween) our CARD group was passing out treat to the children who stopped at our designated spot. The town was full of people and cars, and I remarked to someone that this is probably how it used to be back in the "glory days" (50's and 60's). It was good to see that! Also, I was impressed by the parents accompanying their children. Almost all the children were with parents, grandparents, or other adults in charge. Many of the children said thank you for what they received, and all of them were polite. There were several groups giving out treats in order to encourage a safe and happy Halloween for the children.

A couple of younger kids actually remembered me from school and claimed they were sorry I had retired, because they had wanted to be in my class. That is a shocker!

One of our group was actually in costume (her clown attire)! And we were able to discuss some business toward the end of our stint. We are looking forward to preparing a basket for the Senior Citizens' silent auction at their Christmas dinner, and to the FFA Christmas Craft Show and Christmas Kick-Off for Crothersville, a joint event on November 22. Aunt Samantha's will be having an open house that day, along with a lot of other Crothersville organizations and businesses. CARD will be sponsoring a Santa House and lights will be turned on. We're excited about the opportunity to see Crothersville working together to kick off the holiday season.

(CARD is an acronym for Crothersville Area Revitalization and Development.)