A Riley Home Christmas

Brigette Jones from the Riley Home spoke to Kiwanis. She brought books and told history about J.W. Riley’s friend Will Vawter. Will was much younger than Riley but Riley met him when he moved to Greenfield as a young boy. Riley, a sign painter himself, noticed Will’s artistic talent and was very impressed. Will eventually did illustrations for some of Riley’s books. Will was born in 1871 in West Virginia but moved to Greenfield when he was six years old. He loved to paint and was a self taught artist. He did magazine illustration and therefore was not a starving artist. He became interested in oil painting and painted in an impressionistic style using a palette knife which applied the paint thickly to the canvas. He eventually moved to Brown County to join a colony of artists there. Today Will’s paintings are valued at over $10,000 each and some have sold for more. Will Vawter is buried in Park Cemetery.


Gwen Betor from the Riley Home also invited the public to “A Storybook Christmas at the Riley Home 1863” to be Saturday, December 4, and Saturday, December 11 with tours from 5:00-8:00 PM. Storytellers in period costume will tell tales of Riley’s boyhood chums & their adventures. Entertainers will provide Christmas music of the era. Contact Parks & Recreation for registration. Cost is $4 per adult and $1.25 per child.

Hancock County Children's Theater

Pam Johnson, director of the Hancock County Children’s Theater, spoke to Kiwanis.  She thanked Kiwanis for their long time support.  The theater group was originally formed in 1987 and included students in grades 5 through 8 at the four Hancock County schools.  Students apply to be part of the group and receive recommendations from their teachers and parents.  They may apply to be part of the art or music side of the production.  While the purpose was to provide creative outlet for artistic and musically talented students, the side benefit was for students from the county schools to get to know and appreciate one another in a non-competitive format.  The group consists of 150 students and six/seven staff members.  The schools originally financed the production but due to cut back of school funds, the theater now counts on sponsorships by groups and organizations to help defray costs.  Students are in charge of production, lighting, scenery, programs, costumes and all parts of the show.  All participants learn much during the month of June and along with knowledge gained, memories are made for a lifetime.  The shows are given on two nights and are double cast to give more students a chance to shine.  Approximately 1500 proud parents, grandparents and friends attend.  Watch for the next production in June 2011.

Nancy's Boutique

From Left:Shelly Schwentker, Lisa Wood, Debbie Muegge, Nicole Richmond and Stacie Kramer from Hancock Regional Hospital presented the program at Kiwanis.


Lisa Wood from Hancock Regional Hospital and some of her staff spoke to Kiwanis about the Nancy King Boutique to be opened in the Anderson Women’s Center. The opening date will be announced later. Lisa told that items from the Boutique will be billable to insurance and will not cost the patient at the time of fitting. Medicare allows six new bras per year (three at a time) and women are encouraged to come yearly for refitting and to see the new products available.


The staff is presently taking training on fitting the line of personal items that the boutique will carry. Also speaking was Shelly Schwentker, a representative from the Amoena retail line of breast forms and lingerie. She showed the many new possibilities available for women surviving or thriving after breast cancer. The Boutique will also carry scarves, caps and swim products but not wigs as there is already an outlet in Greenfield.

Christmas Festival

Brian Mason spoke to Kiwanis about the 2010 Christmas Festival of Lights. The parade and festival have been part of downtown Greenfield for eight years, starting in 2003 and originally sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce. The festival has grown over the years and after the kickoff parade on December 3, 2010, there will be a whole week of activities. Added this year is “Breakfast with Santa and Friends” to be held at the American Legion. Some of the friends are Sponge Bob and Cinderella plus some surprises. Tickets will be $10 and only a limited number of seats are available so plan and purchase tickets early. Tickets are available at the Chamber Office.

The theme this year for the parade and planter décor is “Story Book”. Twenty-five of the downtown planters are available for groups to decorate.

Jaycie Phelps will be featured as the Parade Leader and the parade ends with the opening of the Santa House (sponsored by Kiwanis). Part of the week celebration will include Wilkerson’s Dance studio presentation of the Nutcracker and the Community Choir and Band show to be on Sunday at Park Chapel. Watch for added events to be announced. Check the Hello Hancock community calendar or check http://www.greenfieldchristmasfest.com/.

Will Phillips Contribution

Greenfield Kiwanians Skip Harper and Bob Gullion present a check from the club, for the Will Phillips fund, to GBC Vice President Vickie Mattox.  Kiwanis will be making future contributions to the fund to go toward the education fund of Phillips' two sons.