Butch Thankful He Lives Here!!!

   Like most of you, during the holiday seasons I spend more time reflecting on the things I am thankful for. Family and friends top the list, but one thing that we often take for granted is that we live in a great county in rural Indiana. Think about it . . .

   The pace of life is slower here than in a large city or urban area, which equates to lower stress levels. We don’t have all of that noise and traffic. The older I become, the more I enjoy peace and quiet. If you’ve had a bad day at work, take your dog on a walk through town, or hop in your car and drive out in the countryside and enjoy the scenic landscapes and natural beauty of our county. Sometimes I grab the dog, fire up the old pickup, and just drive about 15 mph down the gravel roads in my neighborhood. Of course, if you do this, you need to let your dog stick his head out the window so he can see what’s going on, too.

   Now if you lived in Indy or Lafayette or Gary, you might be concerned about crime. While our county is not free of crime, it certainly has a much lower crime rate than the metropolitan areas. This makes our county a great place to live for everyone, especially families and retired people who desire a peaceful environment. Living is more affordable here, too, with lower taxes, affordable housing and lower costs of basic necessities. There are plenty of job opportunities for anyone who wants to work. If you are seeking work in specialized industry, the tech sector, etc. it’s a short drive to major employers in the Indy area.

   We are also very fortunate to have good schools here in the county. The teachers and administrators are excellent. They truly care about each student, and their academic performance. The schools have a wide variety of athletic and extracurricular activities. One of the best traditions of our county is the excitement that surrounds the high school basketball season, especially the rivalry between the schools. And this rivalry also is apparent in football, volleyball and the other sports. It is fun to watch these events, munch on popcorn, and root for your favorite team. As far as higher education, Wabash College is one of the highest rated in the nation. Purdue is just a few miles up the road, IU a few miles farther south, with many other great colleges here in Indiana only hours away.

   As far as shopping, Crawfordsville has plenty to offer. You can depend on the businesses that have been around for many years. The owners know you by name. And we have gained many new businesses and retail stores in recent years. Everything you need is right here. Anyone who wants to start up a business has a better opportunity here than in large cities because of lower costs and lower taxes. The small towns in the county did lose many of their businesses after school consolidation, but there are still many Mom and Pop stores, businesses and trades to meet your needs. I remember the time the oil furnace in my daughter’s house quit working after midnight, when the temperature was 10 below zero. I called a local fellow, and he arrived at 2 o’clock in the morning, repaired the furnace and never charged any extra!

   Being in a central location also allows us to attend major sports events, concerts, museums, theaters, art galleries, festivals, fairs, etc. without spending hours and hours on the road. We have instant access to outdoor recreation . . . parks, trails, creeks, ponds, woods, etc. with clean air and open spaces. We also have many family friendly events right here which provide fun and educational opportunities for everyone.

   I could mention many other things about our county, but I guess the best attribute for me is good old “Hoosier hospitality.” If you need help with anything, there are always people who will lend a hand, and never ask for anything in return. People here are very giving. They donate to many organizations. There is a sense of community and togetherness. People enjoy striking up a conversation. They are much more friendly. They welcome new residents. People say “Hi, how ya doin?” and “Have a good one.” When I drive down county roads, people wave to me, and I wave to them . . . even if we don’t know each other.

   In 1919, William Herschell wrote a poem entitled, “Ain’t God Good to Indiana.” I would also add, “Ain’t God good to Montgomery County.” I have lived here all of my life . . . 77 years. I wouldn’t want to live anywhere else . . . 

John “Butch” Dale is a retired teacher and County Sheriff. He has also been the librarian at Darlington the past 36 years, and is a well-known artist and author of local history.