Hancock County in the Civil War

Joe Skvarenina, Hancock County Historian told the Greenfield Kiwanis about Hancock County’s role in the Civil War.  The County Historian is appointed by the Indiana Historical Society. 

Skvarenina related that Hancock County had 209 residents die in the Civil War.  The county was generally pro-union but there were some confederate sympathizers.  Among the Hancock county residents serving was James Whitcomb Riley’s father. Reuben. 

Captain Reuben Riley raised a group of volunteers to fight for the Union.  Riley was Captain of Company I, 8^th Regiment, Greenfield Infantry, that participated in the battle of Rich Mountain Virginia.  During that battle Captain Riley received a severe concussion.  He was honorably discharged in 1863.

Skvarenina is the author of several books about Hancock County History including his latest book, Civil War Era in Hancock County Indian, coauthored with Sue Barker and Elayne Stewart. 

Kevin Harvey speaks about Estate Planning

Kevin Harvey of Allen, Wellman, and McNew Attorney is shown with April Woods Kiwanis program chair for April.

Kevin Harvey of Allen, Wellman, and McNew Attorneys, spoke to Kiwanis about basic estate planning.  Kevin has been with the firm for fifteen years and handles wills, trusts and estate planning. 

Harvey stressed that it is important to plan for situations we do not think are imminent.  He noted that none of us know what could occur tomorrow.  He outline the five important documents every basic estate plan should include.

1.       A Last Will and Testament that names the person or persons who will administer the estate and sets forth distribution and guardianship of minor children.

2.       A Power of Attorney empowers another person to manage out estate during any period in which we are mentally or physically incapacitated.

3.       Appointment of a Health Care Representative designates who will make health care decisions when we are unable to.

4.       Living Will.  A living will allows us to make decisions about how we wish for life support to be used.

5.       Declaration of Standby Guardian allows parents of minor children to designate a person to serve as guardian of minor children in the event of the parents incapacity or death. 

Mr. Harvey illustrated his points with stories that demonstrated the problems that occur when these documents are not in place at a time of need. 

Llama Club addresses Kiwanis

Abby Ellenburg and Delanie Melton spoke to Kiwanis about their Llama Club and 4-H projects.  The club lost twenty-three alpacas in a fire that burnt down the Melton’s barn.  Animals from all over the Midwest were donated to get the club started again.  Some animals had to be purchased.  Purdue University Vet School gelded the males donated at no cost.  The club will have enough animals to show for the 2012 season thanks to the generosity of the community. 

The club needs halters, leads, brushes and food.   To raise money for this the club is planning an Italian dinner at the fairgrounds from 4 to 7 p.m. on May 6. 

Pictured from left:  Karen Kleine, Kiwanis President; Abby Ellenburg and Delanie Melton.

Nameless Creek Youth Camp

Benny Eaton, Dorothy Gunn, Jerry Bell.  Mrs. Gunn presented the camp with a contribution following the meeting. 

 

Jerry Bell and Benny Eaton spoke to Kiwanis about the recent and planned renovations at the camp.  The camp established in 1951 is located approximately 6 miles southeast of Greenfield just southeast of the intersection of 600 East and 250 South. 

The camps mission is to create outdoor recreational and camping opportunities to increase the enjoyment of the outdoors and outdoor sports for all Greenfield and Hancock counties.   The main part of the camp has room for tents in addition to the three cabins with sleeping area for approximately 30 people.  Facilities include newly renovated men’s restroom/shower, newly renovated women’s restroom /shower, an accessible restroom, pavilion with several picnic tables, and a newly renovated kitchen.  Expansion plans include concrete pavilion flooring, concrete walks, and weather enclosures for the pavilion. Construction of a 30 camper bunkhouse and additional playground equipment is also planned.  A special fundraising campaign is underway to raise over $40,000 to complete these items. Annual individual and group memberships are available and include discounted use of the facilities.

Further information on contributions can be found on their website, www.namelesscreekyouthcamp.com or by calling 652-2033.

Building an Airplane

Dr. Tom Wolfe and Bob Bogigian spoke to the Kiwanis Club about their love of flying and their current project of building an RV12 kit plane in a garage at Dr. Wolfe’s home.  Dr. Wolfe is a pediatric anesthesiologist at Riley and Mr. Bogigian is a local attorney.  Both are licensed pilots. 

Dr. Wolfe began working with large radio controlled kit airplanes in 1981.  He told of his first plane losing its wings and crashing.  He moved on to ultra-lights, aircraft that have a maximum weight of 254 pounds, a maximum of 5 gallon fuel capacity, and carry only 1 person.  Dr. Wolfe built and soloed his first ultra-light, a Pterydactyl, 1984.

Next Dr. Wolfe built a Pulsar fiberglass aircraft that carried two people and had a 2 cylinder, water cooled, snow mobile engine.  This plane came to rest in a field north of Greenfield following deployment of a ballistic parachute system.   Shortly thereafter, Dr. Wolfe moved on to another kit plane with over 8,000 parts, a tube-and-rag fabric-covered aircraft, a Kitfox V, which he has flown over much of the United States.

When Mr. Bogigian and Dr. Wolfe met, Mr. Bogigian volunteered that he would enjoy helping if Dr. Wolfe ever decided to build another plane that he would enjoy helping.  Hence the RV-12 currently is being constructed in Dr. Wolfe’s garage.  The RV-12 is an all-metal LSA (light sport aircraft) design, a 2 person plane, weighing 740 pounds empty, 19’ 11’ in length, and a span of 26’ 9”.  It has a fuel capacity of 20 gallon and a range of approximately 500 miles.  It has a cruising speed of 116 mph at 5000 rpm and can fly at an elevation of up to 12,500 feet.  Bob & Tom hope to complete assembly and the FAA inspection this spring. 

GC School Foundation

Myra Bleill. Executive Director of the Greenfield Central School Foundation spoke to Kiwanis about the foundations programs.  The foundation started as Set a Good Example in 1986 with the name being changed in 2010 and Mrs. Bleill being hired in October 2011. 

The Greenfield Central School Foundation is the gateway for private investment in our schools so that Greenfield Central students and teachers have the tools and resources they need to succeed. The Foundation also is proactive in establishing programs that impact our schools to enhance education and build positive character. 

Project ARROW is a collaborative project of the Greenfield-Central Community School Corporation and the Greenfield Central School Foundation. This highly successful program matches high school students (mentors) with at-risk students in the seventh and eighth grades, under the supervision of Master Mentors (community leaders). Goal-setting, skill building, and group activities are completed in an informal, supportive format. Each semester, a celebration brings all Project ARROW participants together for large group activities and projects.

E² or E squared stands for Educations Enrichment grants. The GCSF Educational Enrichment (E²) Grant program benefits students, teachers and schools within G-CCSC. The E² Grant program has recently expanded its criteria to provide opportunities for enhanced student learning and achievement. Our focus promotes character building plus innovative ways to enhance student learning and achievement.

The Greenfield Central School Foundation offers scholarships to graduating seniors from Greenfield-Central High School, recognizes students for their dedication to being a positive role model, and also honors community and educational leaders for the example they give within the school setting as well as within the community.

The foundation can accept contributions that help specific programs or to honor individuals who worked with the school system.  For more information contact Myra Bleill at 317-477-4103.

IGem from Greenfield Central

 

Pictured from Left: Mr. John Rihm, Bryce Herbert, Ms. Rebecca Schini, Chris Thompson, Tyler Girton, and Mason Keller 

 

The International Genetically Engineered Machine competition team from Greenfield-Central High School addressed Kiwanis about the Project Lead the Way Academies for Biomedicine and Pre-Engineering.  The iGEM team represents talents from both academies across all four grade levels at GCHS.  In addition to the two PLTW academies the high school also has a career academy and a finance academy. 

The four student presenters were:Chris Thompson, a Senior who is the author of Synthetic Biology, Brick by Brick published in the Johns Hopkins journal, Imagine, Jan/Feb 2012 issue; Bryce Herbert, also a senior; Mason Keller a Junior and Tyler Girton Sophomore.   Both Chris and Bryce will be attending Purdue University where they intend to continue their studies.

Chris talked the basics of iGEM, a competition that combines engineering principles with biology.  In 2011 the GC iGEM team won Best Poster, Best Presentation, Best New Part, and Best Overall Project.

Bryce Herbert spoke of the effects on iGEM students of gaining a head start on future studies, networking, learning important skills especially communications, and gaining experience as scientists.   It is hoped that the communities where iGEM include creating more Biotech companies, retention of educated workers and more innovation.

Mason and Tyler spoke about this year’s project for the iGEM competition.  There project is to produce a Blood Galactose and Glucose tester that will help patients and physicians monitor GALT activity.  GALT is an enzyme which does not occur in 1 in 60,000 births resulting in the disease Galactosemia.  The second project is develop a e-coli tester for Mycobacterium Marinum in acquariums.  The bacteria causes Fish Tuberculosis. 

This year’s iGEM high school competition will be held in Greenfield, June 30 at Greenfield Central High School.  For more information contact either Rebecca Schini or John Rihm at G-CHS.