The Greentown Grapevine – 2005-05, 12:05

              The Greentown
L Celebrating Our 12th Year! v
Volume 12, Issue 5 " aprtper for the peoph" May 2005
Conditions Damp and Dismal = Enjoyment Not Diminished
The following article was written by
Greentown resident, Garry Hill, who
organizes regular canoelkayak trips on
streams and rivers of the area. He writes
follotv- up articles for each trip which he
disperses to a mailing list of members of
" Muskrat's Wildcat Creek Expeditions" and
other interested persons. His nickname
among fellow paddlers is " Muskrat".
Garry said of this article, " When I sat
down at the computer to write this story I
had no idea what I could say.. When
finished, I realized this Trip had a lesson
worth more than the Trip or the Story I' The
trip he writes about was taken on March
26, from Knop Lake in Carroll County to
Wildcat Park in Tippecanoe County.
Sometimes my first glance out the
window makes me wonder " Muskrat,
why did you plan a Trip for a day like
this?" Even the darkness couldn't hide
tlie fog, and the wet streets proved that
rain had recently passed thru.
As I headed out to load a canoe,
heavy steam from my coffee cup and
my shivering revealed that conditions
were at that weird point that can make
a day feel as cold as it ever gets ( I 00%
humiditv. fog, rain. & 35"). A foot of
Prom Royalty
Katie Beck and Alex Beane,
: Eastern Prom Queen and King
Photo by J& J Photo Studio
The Eastern High School Prom was
held April 29 at Main Occasions in
Kokomo. In addition to the queen and
king, members of the court were
Megan Rethlake, Whitney Dykes, Tara
Roberts, Jamin Rife, Brock Renbarger,
Drew DeWitt, Brad Dean, and Josh
Kaylor.
snow and 10" wouldn't make a chill
like today would bring. It was one of
those days when I expected to be the
only one to show up at the Putin.
But, hey, I've seen some lousy
mornings mutate into wonderful
paddling days. Besides that, we were
scheduled to paddle one of the best
Daytrips to be found in all of Indiana:
Knop Lake to Wildcat Park. - Surely
something would happen to make this
Trip special.
Surprisingly ( and quite gratifying for
me), six Wildcat Paddlers ignored the
weather for a chance to get on the
Creek. The Solo Canoers included
Mark Jenkins, Dave Plantenga, Jim
Tarnowski, Dan Ingalls, and Muskrat.
Our solo Kayaker was Brian Bailey.
Brian had attended the Indiana
Paddlers Rendezvous last year, butthis Everything was subdued, unus~ tally So what do you do when a Trip fails
was his first official Trip with tlie quiet. Human noise was minimal; it to be " Something Special"? I go
Expedition Team. ~ seemed like we were the only people home, write the story ( although it
As the Trip progressed the weather who had ventured outdoors. Only a might take me a few days), fill in the
stayed the same. Lucky for us the few birds were singing. attendance list, and plan something
wind was light and the rain was sparse, Our best amusement came from new. Without days like this a paddler
just a few drops now and then. But the trying to keep Dan Ingalls awake. Dan might never fully appreciate the
fog and chill stayed with us all day. has a late- night job as a bouncer at a spectacular days that come our way.
We were all dressed appropriately, and Brownsburg night club. He got off The next time you are on a Trip
the tug of the paddle was enough to from work just in time to join us at the filled with blue sky & perfect water
keep us warm. Creek. The quiet passiveness of this level, shorts & sandals & sun screen,
We stopped several times for snacks, Trip was not exactly what he needed. look around to see if there are a few
to pass on some used up coffee, or to At Wildcat Park we loaded the boats old River Rats that seem to be
stretch our legs. The waves at the and went our separate ways with fond elljoying themselves far more than
Irrigated Rock Garden were just big wishes to meet again on a warmer and necessary. It could be they've seen
enough to entertain us for a few more boisterous day. Dan left with a their share of those " notliin special"
in in u tes. rockin' CD blaring from the radio. days.
Mark Jenkins paddling on Wildcat Creek
Photo by Garry Hill
6,
School Board
Member to
Relocate
Rex White ' Resigns
During the Eastern Howard School
Board meeting Tuesday, April 26' h,
Rex White announced his resignation
from the school board effective June
30th of this year. Due to the closing of
Toppan Photomasks, Inc. ( formerly
DuPont Photomasks, Inc.) in Kokomo,
Mr. White and his family will be
relocating to the Texas based Toppan
site located just north of Austin. Mr.
White has served 3 years of his 4 year
term as a school board member with
the last two fulfilling the role of Vice
President.
You are invited to join the " Green
Team" for a....
Community
Service Day -
Saturday, May 14, 2005
Gather at the Metal Building at the
Fairgrounds.
8: OO a. m. - A FREE breakfast for
all volunteers!
9: 00 - noon We will work together
to beautify Greentown!
By - planting flowers, mulching
beds, and picking up trash. Dress
for mess. Bring shovels, garden
trowels, and gloves. All volunteers
will become members of the
" Green Team".
Special thanks to: Lowe's of Kokomo,
Greentown Lions Club, Barton's
Catering, Greentown Hardware
Celebrating
Preservation
Month
Members of the recently organized
Howard P re se rv at i o ti
Committee are looking for fellow
lovers of local heritage and historic
structures to join in the celebration of
Preservation Month 2005 in May.
To mark Preservation Month 2005,
the local preservation committee, in
conjunction with Historic Landmarks
Foundation of Indiana, the Kokomo
Historic Review Board, the Kokomo
Downtown Association and local
historical societies, is sponsoring two
public meetings open to anyone
interested in old houses and historic
preservation.
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C o u ti ty