The Greentown Grapevine – 1994-03, 01:03

              Volume 1 Issue 3 " a & 01C & e March 1994
Vic Harper Retires ...
None of us think about it much. We
turn on the faucet and its always there -
clear, clean water. None of us realize what
goes into keeping us supplied with this
basic necessity. For thirty years, our " Man
Behind the Scene" has been Vic Harper. In
1963 he began working as Assistant to then
Superintendent Bake Ross. When Bake
retired the following year, Vic took over as
our Superintendent and has held this
position ever since.
Vic can remember when the town used
the old canning factory water tower before
the new tower was built in 1958. Back
then the town had only one well and used
approximately 60,000 gallons per day. We
now have three wells that pump over
260,000 gallons per day.
Vic explained that most people do not
realize the number of federal, state, and
county regulations that must be met. Our
water has been tested many times for
different contaminants and has always
tested good.
Vic has lived around this area all his
life. He grew up in Sycamore and
graduated from Jackson Township High
School. In 1961, he married Vera and
moved to Greentown. He and Vera have 4
children, 8 grandchildren and one great
grandchild. Vic is a member of the
American Legion and attends the Sycamore
Friends Church. He proudly explained that
he is also on the board of White's Institute,
a residential child care facility in Wabash.
When Vic reflected on his years as
Superintendent, he said that, even though it
was a lot of responsibility and sometimes
the hours where long, it was a good job.
He sends a message to the residents that we
should support whatever the town must do
to provide good water.
by Jolene Moore
Bob Armstrong, President of the Town
Council, expressed hs appreciation: " Vic
has been a very dedicated and responsible
employee for 30 years, 11 months. The
Town Council thought about giving Vic a
key to the town when we realized he had
all the keys! We will keep Vic involved in
all major decisions and problems that
confront the water company of Greentown.
Vie, we will miss your, but never forget
you. We wish you the best in your
retirement. I'
As of March 1, Vic will retire to the
good life. He has turned over the
responsibility to Kevin Moss, who has been
his assistant for two years.
We take our water for granted, and
there is no denying that Vic has made it
possible for us to do just that. We want to
thank him for his many years of service to
our community.
Comet Cone A Popular Eating and Meeting Place
A love of being around people is what of Greentown's favorite Dlaces to meet
has kept Herschel Jacobs, - owner of the fellow townspeople and partake of a
by Rachel Jenkins
Comet Cone Drive- In in the retail and
service business for thirty- eight years. He
credits his wife, Joann, for the suggestion
that he open a drive- in wh& at that time
also operating Jacobs East End Service
Station. He moved a house off the lot north
of the station and built a drive- in in 1970.
About 1978 he added the seating area and
outside tables for the convenience of those
who prefer to " sit a spell". This addition
has resulted in the Comet Cone being one
beverage, snack or complete meal.
The Comet Cone employs 17 people
with 5 or 6 more part- time in the summer.
It has provided early work experience for
many young people of the community.
Hours are 6: 30 AM to 9: 30 PM Monday
through Saturday and 9: OO AM to 9: 30 PM
on Sunday. A full breakfast menu is
available. A recent addition is a 25%
Senior Citizen discount 4 to 7 PM on
Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Herschel's youth was spent on a farm
near Cicero, Indmna. He moved to
Greentown in 1946 after discharge from
the Marine Corps.
His family includes his wife Joann, 4
children, 13 grandchildren and 13 great
grandchildren. In addition to his active
involvement in the Comet Cone, Herschel
is Greentown's representative on the
Howard County Civil Defense. He is also a
member of the American Legion and the
Jerome Christian Church. He served 12
years on the Town Board and was president
during some very eventful years, those of
the 1965 tornado, an ice storm, the
purchase of the water company and the
building of the sewage plant. He was
president at the time of the hiring of two
well- known town employees, Vic Harper
and Merrill Shrock.
Herschel remarks that Greentown is
' just his size town." He also commented on
the cleanliness of the town.
Each month's Featured Business is selected
at random from the membership list of the
Greentown Area Business Association.
Herschel Jacobs, owner of the Comet Cone; Darlene Fitch, Mgr.; Ethel Petro and Beth Lee