If you happen to be in Patriot and think you are about to be attacked by a swarm of very large bees, fear not! Yes, we have bees and wasps along with snakes, turtles and frogs but what you are hearing is far up in the sky. No – it’s not a bird, or a plane, or Superman but a drone. It’s not like we have any classified military secrets to be investigated but there is a drone nonetheless. I was in the yard grooming one of my dogs when I saw it the first time. Shortly after I waved at it, it turned and disappeared. As far as I know, it’s only out during the day and never at night so I can’t imagine anyone’s privacy being violated but some folks are still not crazy about our “eye in the sky”.
Correction on last week’s article: Rod Lanum did not share the Patriot history that I included. As a matter of fact, I have no idea who was gracious enough to leave the article for me at the Cook’s Restaurant. Whomever the gentleman might me, I do thank you and I would love to know who you are! Here is another excerpt from Harraman’s ‘History of Switzerland County’ that stated that the first resident of Patriot was Elisha Wade.
“In 1812 Elisha Wade farmed the land on which the village of Patriot is now located. He came across the river from Kentucky to perform the labor, his wife refusing to take up her residence on the Indiana side at that early date, for fear of the Indians. In the fall of the above year, however, the family settled on this side. (Elisha Wade) in 1820, together with James Herrick, laid out the town of Troy; afterward the name was changed to Patriot. The post office was established in 1824, Bela Hedrick, postmaster. The town was incorporated in 1848.”
Janice and Tom Meadors, with daughter Megan traveled to Ball State University in Muncie Indiana on Saturday, May 7th to attend the graduation ceremony of their dear friend and neighbor Walter Barnes. Walter, a 2012 graduate of the Switzerland County High School, received his degree in accounting. Others in attendance were his mother Jeanne Renfro (and her husband Fred); his father Pete Barnes (accompanied by Dawn Haar); his fiancé Aly Minks and her parents Britt and Tonia Minks; his grandparents Rich and Bonnie Wesley; his uncle Rick Wesley; his sister Megan Hall with her son Grant; and his uncle and aunt Dewey and Sharon McGuire. After the ceremony everyone enjoyed dinner at a nearby steakhouse.
My dear friend Ruth Osborn was gracious enough to present me with a real live Betty Boop doll that she picked up for me while visiting her daughter out west. I think she and I share a mutual attraction of sorts to the oddly shaped little cutie but I was so impressed that she thought of me. Thank you! (Come to think of it, do you suppose that Betty Boop was the reason that Barbie’s were created so oddly shaped?)
You still have time to register for the Switzerland County Animal Shelter’s 6th Annual Shelter Shuffle 5K to be held this Saturday, June 4th at 8 a.m. Entry fee is $25. The Red HOT Hatters are very proud Platinum level supporters of this year’s Shelter Shuffle.
If you are musically inclined, don’t forget the upcoming “Guitar Sunday” at Concord Church on Sunday, June 5th. Worship time begins at 10:30 a.m. and all are welcome. Quoting Bonnie Schreiner, “Come and celebrate God’s love with us and your guitar!” Reverend Stephen Ward is the pastor of the Concord Church located at 196 Concord Road which can easily be seen from Highway 156 and the intersection of Sand Run and Concord. It is approximately 3 miles southwest of Patriot.
My pile of donated items for the Red HOT Hatters County Wide Sale to be held on Saturday, June 11th just keeps growing. There are angel figurines, hardback books, pet supplies, used golf balls, collectible tins, clothes and miscellaneous household goods so far. This year we intend to set up around the Courthouse and as always, all monies will go to the Antoinette “Toni” Kniola Memorial Fund. Anyone wishing to make a donation to Toni’s Fund may do so at anytime by stopping by the Community Foundation Office or to contribute items for the sale contact me at (812) 594-2281 for pickup.
The Red HOT Hatters are working on collecting some donations for our own Gift Giveaway at this year’s Relay for Life. Our Team Captain Sandy Dawson also has some 2016-2017 calendars and pink and gray Uni-ball “City of Hope” gel pens (medium point black) that can be purchased outright. The Relay will run from noon to 6 p.m. on Saturday, June 25th.
With the three activities already scheduled, the Red HOT Hatters will not have a June meeting per se. Volunteers will be needed for both the County Wide Yard Sale on June 11th from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the Relay for Life booth on June 25th from noon to 6 p.m. Help with setup and teardown for both events would be greatly appreciated.
The next Patriot Town Board meeting is scheduled for Monday, June 6th at 6 p.m.
I sat in on part of the Patriot/Posey Park Board meeting Tuesday. In addition to President Stephany Abplanalp, Nicole Renyer, Jerry Turner and Larry Monjar were in attendance. The announcement was made that Jill and Bruce Hutcherson will be the Parade Marshals this year. Over the years, these folks have consistently donated their time and support to our community. We are so blessed to have them. Registration forms for the 2016 Patriot 4th of July Parade are available at the Patriot Town Hall. Participants can also register onsite that day. Line up is between 9-11 a.m. at the Patriot Boat Ramp northeast of Town. The flag ceremony in Memorial Park will follow the Parade and is scheduled to begin at noon. The pitch-in dinner at Harris Park is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. with music, games and inflatable recreation.
Remember Memorial Day is not about the barbeques, the car races or the leisure time, but those heroes who sacrificed their lives for us that we may have the freedom to live and worship in a country that despite its problems, is still the greatest country in the world! God bless the United States and those who sacrificed their lives for us.
Below is a recipe that I obtained from Patriot’s Aunt Bea also known as my friend Sharon Levell that I am going to call “Sharon’s Surprise”. God love her! She sent me this wonderful recipe but cut off the name!
“Sharon’s Surprise”
1 pkg. (3.4 oz.) Vanilla flavored instant pudding
1 ½ cups of cold milk
15 Graham crackers, broken crosswise in half
making 30 squares, divided
1 tub Cool Whip Whipped Topping, thawed
1 cup Chocolate frosting
Beat pudding mix and milk in large bowl with whisk for 2 minutes. Let stand 5 minutes. Meanwhile, cover bottom of 8 inch square pan with graham squares, overlapping squares as needed to form an even layer.
Stir the Cool Whip into the pudding. Spread half over the graham squares in the pan; cover with 10 of the remaining graham squares. Repeat another layer of pudding mixture and graham squares.
Refrigerate 3 hours. Spread with chocolate frosting. Serves 9.
If you have anything for me to include in this article, please send it to me. Information can be received any day of the week but normally my deadline is Sunday at noon for that week’s issue of the paper. Any news received later will appear in the following week’s article. If you need something in on a particular date3 be sure and give it to me early. Thank you for sending me what you do every week – I couldn’t do this without you!
You may contact me several ways: by calling my home at (812) 594-2281 OR dropping me a note at P.O. Box #01, Patriot, Indiana, 47038. In addition, contact KAY E COOK on Facebook or online at PatriotNews1995@gmail.com.