T
P C N SINCE 1882 Successor to The Poseyville News & New Harmony Times POSEY COUNTY’S ONLY LOCALLY OWNED AND OPERATED NEWSPAPER
Volume 138 Edition 18
Tuesday, May 1, 2018
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Commissioners OK transportation plan By Lois Mittino Gray At the April 17 meeting of the Posey County Commissioners meeting, Christopher Joannes, a Transportation Planner with Lochmueller Engineering Group from St. Louis, presented the final claims for approval of the 2040 Long-Range Transportation Plan for the county. He reported that he made a few changes to the final plan. “I noted that the Evansville Western Railroad received a ten million dollar TIGER grant to repair the wooden entrances at each end of the railroad bridge north of New Harmony over the Wabash
River to Maumee, Ill.,” he explained. He reiterated that the Western Bypass around Mount Vernon is the top priority for the county plan. The Commissioners approved the final version of the transportation plan by paying the final claims for the county’s fifty percent share of the cost. The other fifty percent is paid by the Economic Development Commission. Building Commissioner Ed Batteiger addressed the Commissioners concerning
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Joint preschool program discussed by MV board
North Posey prom royalty Lindsey Koester and David Bender enjoy the ceremonial dance just after being named king and queen at Prom 2018 at St. Wendel Knights of St. John on Saturday evening. Photo by Dave Pearce
By Lois Mittino Gray School Board Member Mark Isaac participated electronically from Denver in the April 16 meeting of the Mount Vernon School Board. His disembodied voice could be heard all around the room praising a new idea discussed by Jackie Maier, Special Services Director. Maier attended the meeting to present for discussion a possible preschool joint services plan for next school year. It involves the district’s preschool special education program in partnership with the Children’s Learning Center. “This is in the early stages of discussion,” she
explained. “We could blend services and staff all in one place at the CLC. Our students could receive speech, physical, occupational therapy, and education, using the same core curriculum in an inclusive environment.” At present, the school district’s preschool special education program is housed at Farmersville Elementary School. Maier said there are 21 eligible students, not all attend every day. The new hours for next year would be from 8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. with the option of re-
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Breakfast crew Thursday morning group keeps faith, community at center By Pam Robinson Some call their group members the “Old Codgers.” Some call them the “Thursday Morning Grouches.” As long as they are called together for faith, food, fellowship and fun, the Thursday Morning Breakfast Group will meet to serve one another and their community. Numbering around 20 now, the Thursday Morning Breakfast Group members range in age from 56-94-years-old. The breakfast group has one diehard rule: politics and religion may be discussed, but no one can argue about the subjects. The Mount Vernon group
started out casually six or seven years ago when John Pierce, Bob Ferrell and the late Cecil Waters met at the Emporium on Wednesday mornings for a breakfast hour. Once the Emporium closed, the men changed their meeting day to Thursday, and Mary Esker spoiled them at her restaurant, Water’s Edge, until it closed. Dean’s The Thursday Morning Breakfast Group came together for a photo this past Thursday, April 26, at served up breakfast for the group the Posey County Council on Aging’s Mount Vernon senior center. Seated, l to r: Dave Gambrel, Dan until its tragic destruction by fire. Gibson, John Pierce, Charlie Dyer and Gary Trammel. Standing, l to r: Gary Baldwin, Greg Wagner, Ed Sharon’s Country Kitchen hosted Adams, Dennis Hermann, Gary Trammel Jr, Charlie Thompson, Bob Hargett, Jimmy Reeves and Don “Red” Harrington. Not pictured are Greg Oeth, Ray Pierce, Al Mason, Bill Turner, Bud Feldkamp, Bob Continued on Page A9 Ferrell, Rick Brock and David Lueder. Photo by Pam Robinson
Briefly
Rich history, inviting charm
Bethsaida Cemetery Cleanup: Saturday, May 5 8 a.m., weather permitting Robb Township Alumni: Saturday June 9, 2018 5 p.m. Red Wagon Restaraunt Poseyville, Ind. National Day of Prayer:
Posey County Courthouse Thursday, May 3 12 p.m. North Posey Graduation: Friday May 25, 2018 7 p.m. Gymnasium Poseyville, Ind. Mount Vernon Graduation: Friday May 25, 2018 7 p.m. Gymnasium Mount Vernon, Ind. BMV Extends Hours for Primary Election Day: Monday, May 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., Tuesday, May 8, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. More information on these and other events inside today’s Posey County News
(USPS 439-500)
The Golden Years
Branam home taps into bygone days of Mount Vernon By Pam Robinson When the azaleas bloom, no one can miss noticing the Branam Home at 723 Mulberry Street in Mount Vernon. The two-story home features an inviting comesit-a-spell porch flanked on each side by a large pink shrub azalea, fitting for an Azalea City. When ready to go inside, the visitor presses a vintage doorbell set up to ring a real bell just inside the door. Once the visitor walks inside, rich history and charming character bring the Branam Home alive. The atmosphere is sure to please those on the 2018 Vintage Home and Garden Tour sponsored by the Women’s Fund Board of the Posey County Community Foundation. Scott and Holly Branam like to share the history of their home. Built in the early 1900s, the Branam Home was originally built by Judge Herdis Clements and his wife, Fannie. The original cost of the house and lot was $4,400. According to additional records
the Branams provided, the couple had identical twin sons, French and Fred, as well as two daughters, Elisabeth and Mary. Mr. Clements provided well for his family. He was an attorney who climbed the political ladder. In 1905, the people elected him mayor of Mount Vernon for two years. In 1908, he became judge of Posey in Gibson County. When the court divided in 1913, he served as judge for Posey County alone. He was successful in six reelections and sat as judge for a total of 37 years. Judge Clements and Fannie
Scott and Holly Branam’s home at 723 Mulberry Street in Mount Vernon is one of four historic homes featured on 2018’s Vintage Home and Garden Tour. Photo by Dave Pearce died in the 1960s. The house was remodeled afterward and during the time, Steve and Maryanne Fuelling owned the home. The Branams purchased 723 Mulberry
from the Fuellings a year ago. The affluence of the Judge Clements family is apparent in the
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