Week in Review

We are only a week and three days away from Christmas and you can really feel the merriment in the air this time of year. From stocking to presents there’s so much to love, and we at The Paper love to see all the holiday stories come in. Here’s a recap of some of the most memorable stories of the last week here in our beautiful Montgomery County!

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WABASH COLLEGE’S gain is the Chamber of Commerce’s loss. Cassie Hagan, the most recent executive director for the Crawfordsville Chamber, will be the new Director of Professional Development and Center for Innovation, Business, and Entrepreneurship effective Jan. 3. This is Hagan’s second stint at Wabash. She previously served as Associate Director of Career Services.

Hagan earned her undergraduate degree at Ball State University. She is a graduate of the Montgomery County Leadership Academy (MCLA) and recently served that organization as its president. She is also a member of the board of directors of the Montgomery County Educational Foundation.

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THE LINDEN Carnegie Public Library’s Christmas Open House happened recently. Crafts, snacks, free new books, a Reindeer Search and of course a visit with Santa were all part of the fun! The event was a great success and Amy King, who is in charge of the children’s programming, is already looking forward to next year! 

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FOR THE 28th year OPERATION TOY BOX is collecting toys for needy families in the Montgomery County area. OPERATION TOY BOX began with the help of Gloria and Dave Long working along with the Delta Theta Tau Sorority. In 2020 the Crawfordsville Kiwanis Club took over the operation and is now in their second year of facilitating OPERATION TOY BOX.

Signs have been posted at collection sites in our area including Creek Jewelers, Christi Hubler Chevrolet, Etter Ford, York Automotive and numerous other locations. New, unwrapped toys for children ages infant to 15 years of age can be dropped off at any collection site.

Toys will be picked up by the Indiana National Guard on Friday December 17th, 2021 and distribution will be made on Monday December 20th, 2021. In 2021 OPERATION TOY BOX will serve almost 50 families and over 100 children.

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VALERO’S LINDEN Ethanol Plant distributed a total of $20,000 to charities in Montgomery and Tippecanoe counties from money raised through the Valero Texas Open and Valero Benefit for Children.

The 2021 Valero Benefit for Children local recipients included the Boys and Girls Club of Montgomery County, Montgomery County Youth Service Bureau, Food Finders Food Bank Backpack Program and Helping Challenged Children.

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THE LOCAL Kiwanians report that Operation Toy Box is in full swing this year. So far, the drive has accepted donations from numerous organizations to supplement the toys collected during their annual campaign. These donations are used to ensure that Operation Toy Box has the proper toys for all ages of children.

This is the 28th year that Operation Toy Box is collecting toys for needy families in the Montgomery County area. Toys can be dropped off at more than 20 locations in Montgomery County that display an Operation Toy Box collection site sign, including The Paper of Montgomery County at 127 E, Main St. Operation Toy Box was developed by Gloria and Dave Long is to provide that “one new toy under the tree” for area children.

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SOUTHMONT SCHOOLS is continuing a year-long celebration of its 50th Anniversary with a Winter Reunion on Saturday, Jan. 22 at Southmont High School from 2:30 p.m. to 5 p.m.

The Southmont girls varsity basketball will tip off against Crawfordsville High School at 5:30 p.m., with the boys varsity game following at 7 p.m.

1991 Southmont High School alum Steve Trent and his band Small Town will headline the celebration in the new high school commons. Children and those young at heart are invited to jump, race, and play on inflatables located in the fieldhouse. Various Southmont High School athletics teams will be selling food items throughout the event, including pork burgers and other concession favorites.

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SIX WABASH College seniors have earned Orr Fellowships, guaranteeing them two-year, salaried positions with a host company in Indianapolis. This marks the most Orr Fellows from Wabash in an academic year in the fellowship’s history.

As Orr Fellows, Lucas Bender, Drew Bluethmann, Isaac Cloran, Kenny Coleman, Solomon Davis and Gerard Seig will receive executive mentorship and participate in a curriculum designed to develop understanding and skills vital to entrepreneurship and business leadership. Fellows will also grow professionally through an active and supportive network with opportunities for cultural and civic engagement.