Greencastle-Antrim puts out welcome mat
By KAREN BITNER Echo Pilot

With both official and "unofficial" openings, the 36th Triennial Greencastle-Antrim Old Home Week celebration got underway last weekend and continues through Aug. 11. At left, OHW president Jeff Shank officially opens the festivities Saturday, and at right, in a photo courtesy of Van Winkle's Creative Images, the crowd at the "unofficial" opening Sunday evening was a bit thinned by the rainy weather, however was an impressive sight taken from the Town Clock tower and a good time was had by all.

"It's a beautiful day in downtown Greencastle," Old Home Week Board of Directors Chairman Frank Mowen told a crowd assembled on Center Square Saturday morning for the OHW official opening ceremony. "The only thing that would make this day better," Mowen added, "is a little rain . . . and we'll leave that up to the Lord."

Mowen then introduced GAHS senior Sarah Mack, who sang "The Star-Spangled Banner," followed by Boy Scout Grant Henry, who led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Leaders of the borough and township extended words of welcome to those assembled. Greencastle Mayor Bob Eberly greeted residents and guests alike, saying "We are Greencastle and we welcome you."

"We may be two municipalities," Antrim Township Supervisor Bob Whitmore told the crowd, "but we still think of ourselves as one community . . . Old Home Week provides us with a tradition that anchors this community."

Following Mowen's introduction of past OHW presidents, Mack sang "Just a Little Street Where Old Friends Meet," which was adopted as official OHW song in 1947. Mowen then introduced State Representative Rob Kauffman, a 1992 GAHS graduate Mowen called a "native son."