A Golden Hoosier Among Us
We are delighted to announce that Dan McCain has been named as a recipient of this year's Golden Hoosier Award. This award is a collaboration between the office of Lieutenant Governor Suzanne Crouch and the Indiana FSSA, and it is the highest honor bestowed upon a senior citizen of Indiana. It is in recognition of those who have devoted their lives and services to help fellow Hoosiers and improve their communities.
It isn't hard to see why Dan merits this award! He has been in leadership at the Canal since his retirement, and his countless hours have all been as a volunteer. He brought many projects to fruition through his tenacity and his good will, including the grant which built our Conference and Interpretive Center in Delphi.
One of Dan's favorite areas of interest is the trail system that he helped develop over the years through a vast coalition of volunteers. Even today, he is still known to work on the trails and help keep them pristine and ready for the public to enjoy.
Dan's mother, Rosalind, was one of the founding members of Carroll County Wabash & Erie Canal, Inc., and it is a sure bet that she would be immensely proud of how Dan has continued the work of restoring and sharing the canal with new generations of Delphi residents and visitors.
As you can see, Dan has been busy recently, appearing in some video productions that will preserve local history well into the future!
The Golden Hoosier Award ceremony will be held Monday, September 26 in Indianapolis at 1:00 PM Eastern time. If you would like to attend, you can do so virtually by visiting the following website: www.in.gove/lg/2532.htm and clicking on the "Golden Hoosier Award ceremony" icon. We hope you can (virtually) join!
The Blue Bridge Gets a Makeover
If you visited the Blue Bridge earlier this summer, located near Pizza Hut on Bicycle Bridge Road in Delphi, you may have noticed that the decking was showing its age! Thanks to a generous donation from Carolyn Short, Jim Black, and Barb Mayfield in memory of their parents, Richard and Marilyn Black, we were able to purchase the materials to replace the aging planks with new, pressure-treated lumber.
The Monday-Wednesday-Friday Crew prepped the bridge and made sure all the pieces were ready for swift removal. Then, we were pleased to welcome a team of CILTs (Campers in Leadership Training) from Camp Tecumseh to remove the old decking and install the new!
In an incredible construction feat, the team of teenagers completely finished the bridge in under three hours! As their time to depart approached, the group resolved, "We aren't leaving until this bridge is done!" and they stayed the extra time needed to complete the huge task.
Above you can see the bridge with its new decking which is sure to serve the community and visitors for many years. We are grateful for all the support that makes these projects possible: the donors who funded the work, the volunteer crew who guided the work, and the Camp Tecumseh team that provided the energy and muscle to get the job done. While we are proud of our trail system, it is only possible because of the generosity and volunteerism which make it a reality!
A Fun-Filled Kids' Day
On August 6, we hosted Kids' Fun Day at Canal Park, which is a Saturday afternoon that includes all our usual attractions, but with some added offerings for the kids!
Volunteers set up special exhibits for kids to get hands-on with, like an 1800's laundry station. Above you can see Becky Crabb inviting some guests to try their hand at stringing green beans. A primary focus of our volunteers is to make learning fun and experience-based, and they do a marvelous job of it.
In and around the Kuns Cabin, Karen Bradshaw and her family set up several stations for different crafts including tin punch artwork and woven turtles. There was also a bucket toss game where our younger guests (and adults!) could test their skills.
Our park will be open to the public for a few more weekends! Every Saturday afternoon 1-4 PM through September 3 you can join us for some educational and family fun at Canal Park. This includes our engaging museum, canal boat rides, Pioneer Village visits, and Reed Case House tours. Don't miss out!
Archives Item Call-Out
We need your help locating some items! The Archives Committee is on the look-out for some artifacts of particular interest to the Canal, and if you might have a lead, we would love to hear from you.
- An ice box, dating back to at least the early 1900's
- An antique doll, dating back to the 1800's if possible
- Antique tools, for demonstration and exhibition purposes
- Lutheran hymnals and liturgical books, dating to 1800s or early 1900s
If you have any of these items, you can email us at info@canalcenter.org or call our office (765) 564-2870. Or, if you have any objects or documents related to the canal or the Canal Era, don't hesitate to get in touch! We would love to help you find a home for the items that will help educate visitors for years into the future.