The Greentown Grapevine – 2003-12, 10:12

              I/ Volume 10, Issue 12 “ a paper for the people” December 2003
Making of a Pressman’s Hat
Featured at Dinner
Clarence Ragan, now of Sweetser, explained the construction of a pressman’s
hat at the Greentown Historical Society annual dinner meeting. Ragan’s ha1
folding assistant ( not shown) began noticing troubling tendencies of compulsive
behavior while rehearsing his craft assignment. Fortunately, his frailty of psyche
was detected in the early stages, before reams of town minutes, IRS forms, churct
bulletins and tons of junk mail could be folded into square paper hats. Ar
appropriate support group and/ or counseling may be necessary.
Photo by Sarah Cotton
Clarence Ragan, former employee of
the Howard County News, gave the
instructions for making a pressman’s
hat at the annual dinner meeting of the
Greentown Historical Society, held
November 6 at Jerome Christian
Church. The theme of the evening was
newspapers of eastern Howard County.
Ragan explained that hats folded from
newspapers were made each day by
those working in the pressroom in
order to keep ink out of their hair. A
search of. the internet found that at
least two newspapers have kept the
tradition. The hats are a special treat
for visiting school children.
Ragan read aloud the steps while
Fred Jenkins folded a hat. Jenkins
devised some modifications and
embellishments. , He presented Ragan
with a plumed hat and speaker Cookie
Walter with a hat sporting a goose
quill ( for the editor).
Margaret “ Cookie” Walter, a former
editor of the Howard County News,
returned to Greentown to speak about
memories of her days with the paper.
After more than 15 years with
newspapers in Indiana and the
Northeast, she is now on the
journalism faculty at the University of
Missouri and is an editor of the
Columbia Missourian.
Society president, Rachel Jenkins,
praised the group for accomplishing so
much in its first five years. Those
accomplishments include renovating
and opening a History Center,
significantly paying down a mortgage,
beginning to take in historical items,
installing Past Perfect Museum
software, preparing exhibits, opening a
gift shop, and holding programs for the
public.
During a public comment period,
Craig Trott spoke of his memories as a
teenager working on the Howard
County News, of the drama of the
working press and of people who
taught him more about photography.
Ragan relayed the behind- the- scenes
flurry of activity to get the story out
the night the Greentown Beavers beat
Kokomo in the basketball Sectional
game. His description included the
unique problem of starting with cold
ink and the fans standing outside the
news office in the wee hours of the
morning waiting for the first copies.
Other former employees of the HCN
present were Jan David, Charlotte
Agness, Reba Price, Ellen Cranor, and
Barb Roesener, daughter of the late
Jim Bannon.
Dece. rn b er Church Event
Schedule
Christian Life Fellowship ( 765) 628- 3000
Sun. Dec. 21, 9: 30 a. m. Christmas Service
First United Methodist Church ( 765) 628- 31 87
Fri. Dec. 12, 7 p. m.
Sun. Dec. 14, 7 p. m.
Wed. Dec. 24, 7 & 11 p. m. Candlelight Service ,
Wed. Dec. 31, 9- 1 1: 30 p. m. Watchnight Party ( Games and food in
the Fellowship Hall)
Wed. Dec. 31, 11 : 30 p. m. Watchnight Worship Service
Christmas Movie Night
“ Bethlehem AD”, Youth Christmas
Musical
Greentown Faith ADostolic Lighthouse ( 765) 628- 2291
Mon. Dec. 8, 6 p. m.
Tues. Dec. 16,7 p. m.
Wed. Dec. 17, 6 p. m.
Ladies Auxiliary Christmas Banquet ( For
all women)
Christmas Drama
Christmas Caroling
Greentown Family Christian Center ( 765) 628- 3354
Wed. Dec. 17, 6 p. m.
Sun. Dec. 21, 10 a. m.
Wed. Dec. 24, 5: 30 p. m.
Special Christmas Fellowship and
Supper
Special Musical Program with singing
group, “ His Master’s Own”
Candlelight Service
Greentown Wesleyan Church ( 765) 628- 7283
Dec. 14, 10 a. m.
Dec. 21, 10 a. m.
“ The Smelly Shepherd”, Children’s
“ Hope Has Come”, Christmas Cantata
Christmas Program
Howard Miami Mennonite Church ( 765) 395- 7509
Sun. Dec. 14, 6 p. m.
Sun. Dec. 21,10: 30 a. m.
Wed. Dec. 24, 11 p. m.
Sun. Dec. 28,10: 30 a. m.
“ Hotel Bethlehem”, Children’s Christmas
Christmas Worship Service
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Christmas Worship Service
Musical
Jerome Christian Church ( 765) 628- 3126
Sat. Dec. 6, 6 p. m.
Sun. Dec. 14,’ 6 p. m.
Wed. Dec 24’ 7 p. m.
- “ Away in a Manger”, Children’s Musical
“ Hark! The Angels Sing”, Adult Musical
Christmas Eve Service
Kokomo Zion United Methodist Church
Wed. Dec. 24, 10: 30 p. m.
( 765) 628- 7105
“ Celebration of Christ’s Love”, Christmas
Eve Service with Communion
Meridian Street Christian ( 765) 628- 3605
Fri. Dec. 12, 7 p. m. “ Carols by Candlelight”
Featured artists: Restoration, Sally Duke, Kerry Barrett & others
New Salem Friends Church ( 765) 628- 7480
Sun. Dec. 7, 7 p. m.
Sun. Dec. 21, IO a. m.
Wed. Dec. 24, 530 p. m.
Candlelight Christmas Program featuring
Sally Duke. Fellowship after.
“ His Master’s Own”, Christmas
Candlelight Service
Musical .
Sycamore Friends Church ( 765) 628- 3694
Wed. Dec 24,9 p. m. Candlelight Service