Since 1882 ~ Successor to The Poseyville News and The New Harmony Times • New Harmony, IN
“Our liberties we prize, and our rights we will maintain.” Posey County’s only locally-owned newspaper
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
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Volume 134 Edition 32
New Harmony celebrates with flair, pageantry By Lois Mittino Gray New Harmony Town Council member Linda Warrum slumped down at 5 p.m. Sunday at the ice cream social at St. Stephens Episcopal Church. Following the interfaith service at the Roofless Church, the end was finally in sight for all those who made it possible for people from all over the world to celebrate the Bicentennial of New Harmony. “I’m so tired,” Warrum said in a near-whisper as a packed room enjoyed the ice cream. “I’m going to sleep in on Monday morning.” But after four years of planning, the ten days of celebration in honor of New Harmony’s Bicentennial are nothing more than wonderful memories now. All of the activities took place with good attendance and even though it ‘rained on our parade’ for awhile, the Saturday morning event began on time with 92 entries, some soggy, but all smiling and having fun. Grand Marshal Juanita Hyatt kicked off the parade in a vintage Victorian dress riding in the blue Rolls Royce owned by Larry and Pat Gosh. She is New Harmony’s oldest life-long resident at 97 years. Police and fire truck sirens wailed, miniature horses pranced; the North Posey Band played, and floats, old cars, and farm equipment rolled by. The Boy Scout Troop 386 float had 14 past Eagle Scouts as well as current Scouts and the three visiting English Scouts from days past (in 1962) riding along and waving to the crowd. Children ran to get the candy thrown to the throng, while adults were happy to get seed packets given out by the New Harmony Garden Club. Parade Chairman Rita Reynolds said, “Rain or shine, the show must go on and it did. I give thanks to all of my TriKappa ladies who helped to make this turn out so well.” Other Saturday activities included free breakfast offered by the American Legion Post 370 before the parade and a picnic of brats on buns after it under the tent in Church Park. Old tunes and a rousing Rappite salute were played by the Wolfgang Dixieland Band. Afterwards, the Ford Home hosted a dessert reception of delectables, such as cannolis and ricotta beignets, prepared by their talented Chef Chad. Throughout the day, children bounced on inflatables and played early American games sponsored by the Kiwanis Club. All were very well-attended. Saturday night’s event was ‘200 Years of Music’ presented by the Wolfgang Orchestra and Chorus in Murphy Auditorium. Highlights included ‘On The Banks of the Wabash’ and an original composition composed by Philip Hagemann. “It was very well received and the audience loved it,” noted Bicentennial Commission Executive Assistant Jan Kahle. For many, the most moving musical number of the Bicentennial Celebration was the stirring song premiered Friday night by Molly Felder and the Community Choir at the ‘Salute to New Harmony’ program held in Murphy Auditorium. Called simply ‘The New Harmony Song.’ It was written by Felder’s husband Mickey Grimm and Rich Wayland in tribute to what they called a magic town. “We take quiet rides in the dark June night to see the fireflies and the stars so bright,” she sang beautifully. “Where you don’t need a reason to wave hello, and folks always wave back who you
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The final competition of the 32nd Annual Hagemann Award was held on Wednesday night. Clinching this years award was percussionist Quinn Musgrave, (third from left) who wowed the audience with his performances of ‘Rain Dance,’ ‘Etude,’ and ‘Yellow After the Rain.’ Seen here are (in front row) founder Philip Hagemann, trombonist Andrew Evans, percussionist Quinn Musgrave, tubist Aaron Korff and soprano Brandi Jo Buhmeier. In back row are judges Kenneth Steinsultz, Director of Bands at the University of Evansville, Andrea Drury, Conductor of the Evansville Philharmonic Chorus and North High School Chorus, and William Shaltis, Timpanist with the Boise, Idaho Symphony. Photo by Zach Straw
Mount Vernon man faces drug charges Special to the News section of State Road 69 and Smith School Road. The Posey County deputies arrested Harold Wayne Kes- deputies noted that the vehicle was occupied by two ter, Jr., 46, of Mount Vernon on charges of possession individuals. of methamphetamine. The arrest was made on ThursAs the deputies spoke with Kester, who was the pasday evening, August 7. senger in the vehicle, information was During a traffic stop while patrolling gained that he was transporting methState Road 69, at approximately 8:09 amphetamine in the vehicle. A search of p.m., Posey County Sheriff’s Deputies Kester yielded several syringes believed Matt Henrich and Justin Rutledge saw to be loaded with methamphetamine. A a blue S-10 Chevrolet truck traveling number of other syringes were found in south. The vehicle was being driven on the vehicle in an area which was under the highway with a flat tire on the front the control of Kester. passenger side. The deputies arrested Kester and After conducting a license plate transported him to the Posey County check, the deputies found that the veJail. Kester was charged with posseshicle was also improperly registered. sion of methamphetamine and illegal Wayne Kester The vehicle was stopped near the interpossession of syringes.
Parks, alcohol discussion gets lively By Lois Mittino Gray A lively discussion on proposed changes to the city alcohol ordinance was the highlight of the July 24 Mount Vernon Common Council meeting. City Attorney Beth McFadin Higgins presented an amended ordinance for council review that addresses alcohol on any property owned by the city. A copy was also sent to Parks Superintendent Michael Harshbarger and Old National Bank Insurance for review. Higgins explained that the ordinance’s Chapter 96 addresses city parks and Chapter 110 is the city’s business regulations section. Councilman Andy Hoehn said he has concerns that the part about open containers not allowed less than
300 feet from a park was deleted from the original ordinance. “If the 300 feet rule is deleted from small satellite parks like Kimball, Fairview, and Brittlebank Park; there could potentially be someone sitting in a car drinking right there and that could lead to a bad situation,” he said. Hoehn felt deleting the distance number could also lead to a problem with the city insurance company. “For example, someone sits in the car at Kimball Park drinking, there are children playing at the park, small children, and the next thing you know, there is a molestation. This amended ordinance does not pro-
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Public transportation in Posey County possibility By Valerie Werkmeister Could public transportation soon be available to Posey County residents? The answer will come following a feasibility study that will examine not only a Mount Vernon to Evansville connection but also a loop through the northern portion of the county in Poseyville and Cynthiana. Posey County Commissioners approved the county’s intent to apply for a transportation planning grant through the Indianan Department of Transportation during their Tuesday, August 5, meeting. If awarded, the $10,000 grant plus a $2,500 match from the county will cover the study fees. Debbie Bennett-Stearsman, Vice President of the Economic Development Coalition of Southwest Indiana presented the grant application to the commissioners. She is partnering with the Evansville Metropolitan Planning Organization to complete the process. Commissioners also approved Stearsman’s request for the county to be a program sponsor for participation in a Blight Eliminiation Program. The program provides state funds to demolish blighted properties within each community. Stearsman stated there are two properties in Poseyville, eight properties in Cynthiana, two properties in Griffin and approximately 22 to 24 properties in Mount Vernon that may qualify for the program. More information on this program will be in upcoming issues of the Posey County News. Commissioners opened sealed bids for the new soccer complex to be built in Mount Vernon. Russell’s Excavating was awarded the project for the lowest bid of $123,800. Other companies who bid included Blankenberger Brothers- $187,400 and D.K. Parker and Sons - $139,500. Young Robert Harnishfeger enjoys a balloon sword on the lap of his father during the National Night Out held this week in Cynthiana. Sluggo the Clown made the sword. Photo by Dave Pearce
Briefly
Cynthiana’s ‘Night out’ grows up
Wonderful Wabash Canoe Event to be held August 23 The Posey County Soil and Water Conservation District in conjunction with the Wabash River Heritage Corridor Commission and Harmonie State Park are hosting the Wonderful Wabash Canoe Event. The trip will start at Harmonie State Park at the Wabash River Access and end at Dogtown Ferry Boat Ramp. Canoes, paddles and life vests are available for rent or you can bring your own equipment. This 10 and one-half mile trip will conclude with a celebration lunch. Participants will also receive a t-shirt. There is no age restriction, but children should be able to swim and sit for four to five hours. The trip is Saturday, August 23, 2014. Check in will start at 7:30 a.m. and launch time is 8 a.m. The trip will take four to five hours depending on water levels and experience. Registration fee is $10. Equipment rental fee is $25/canoe. Call Carrie Parmenter at the Posey County SWCD at (812) 838-4191. Space is limited so registrations are required. Tuesday Election Board meeting postponed The Posey County Election Board will not be meeting Tuesday, August 12 for the regularly scheduled meeting due to the absence of David Whitten, Election Board President.
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It would be safe to say that a ‘Night Out’ with local law enforcement has become a big hit in Cynthiana. This week, an event which was started by Posey County Sheriff Greg Oeth just four years ago, became what Oeth had envisioned when he started the program. Several hundred people gathered at Cynthiana’s Park Tuesday evening for the fourth annual National Night Out celebration. By 6 p.m. the line for hamburgers and hotdogs stretched halfway across the park. The annual awareness event celebrates keeping communities safe, and taking a stand against crime and crimi-
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nal activities. People continued to fill up the park as the evening progressed to enjoy food, fun, and pleasant weather. Some watched the entertainment of the kids’ inflatable bumper ball activities, while others participated in yard games, face painting, and water balloon tossing and everyone enjoyed visiting with friends and neighbors. Sheriff’s Deputies roamed about providing information, handout materials, and interaction with children at the playground. Local government officials were also on hand to speak with constituents about issues
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and concerns. “While the one night event is certainly not an answer to crime, drugs and violence, it does represent the kind of spirit, energy and determination to help make our neighborhoods safer year round,” Oeth said. “The night celebrates safety and crime prevention successes and works to expand the partnership of law enforcement and public safety with the citizens they serve.” Oeth said he is thankful to all who helped make this event a great success. “We are looking forward to an even bigger event next year,” he concluded.