36th Triennial closes to raves
First woman in line for Old Home Week presidency
By KAREN BITNER Echo Pilot

Outgoing Old Home Week Committee president Jeff Shank, right, at the "unofficial" closing Saturday night with 2010 president Ben Thomas Jr. (left) and secretary Carol Christophel.

A week . . . and it was very good

"You just can't prepare for it," Old Home Week President Jeff Shank said of the weeklong celebration that was drawing to an end on Friday as he met with the OHW association and its Board of Directors. "It just sort of happens-this will be a week I'll never forget."

Shank added that he wanted to express a tremendous thanks to fellow officers Ben Thomas, who served as OHW 2007 secretary, and Carol Christophel, OHW 2007 Treasurer. Shank later told the Echo Pilot that he was amazed by the sheer number of events. "I couldn't believe how much stuff there was in a week," he admitted. "If you try to do it all it's impossible."

Frank Mowen, president of the OHW Board of Directors, thanked Shank for doing an outstanding job. "You know the behind-the-scenes activity," he said. "We've had the benefit of e-mail. Jeff is a coordinator, organizer and leader."

Savanah Stahl, Greencastle, Hope Shindle, Hagerstown, Madelyn and Sage Rowland, Greencastle, and Sparky got front row seats in the 2007 Official Old Home Week Picture.

The directors elected Shank to fill the spot on their board vacated by the death of Robert "Red" Pensinger, and appointed Thomas as president for the 2010 OHW association, with Christophel to serve as that association secretary and Ed Wine serving as treasurer. It is an OHW Association custom that the secretary and treasurer for one event advance to positions as president and secretary for the next one, meaning that Christophel is in line to serve as president of OHW in 2013 and Wine in 2016.

Shank then presented the ceremonial OHW necktie to Thomas, noting that he would give it to Thomas but still wanted to wear it in the parade, which had to be rescheduled to Saturday due to rain Thursday night. "I had a mustard stain cleaned off," he remarked, explaining that when he received it from the last OHW president, Greg Hoover, the tie had a mustard stain.

Some people raced from one corner of the Square to another in order to be photographed twice.

A visitor at the meeting, Daryl Freshman, told the group he had lived here for 39 years and was back to celebrate OHW after living in South Carolina for the past 12 years. "It is something to meet faces and people I grew up with and to have those reminiscing times." He said. "I applaud the whole community and what they do for us returning for Old Home Week."

Upcoming president Thomas smiled as he was teased about becoming Old Home Week Association President despite his "outsider" status as a graduate of James Buchanan High School. "I don't consider myself to be an outsider," the current Antrim Township Manager and Greencastle resident said, adding that he had formerly lived in Antrim Township and helped his father run businesses there. "I'm a Greencastle- Antrim lad from way back," he laughed.

Cristophel expressed excitement about the potential for becoming the first female OHW Association president. "You can't imagine how it feels," she said. "They put a lot of faith in me-I have big shoes to fill." As for the honorary necktie that could be coming her way in 2013, Christophel had no qualms. "It will be worn," she insisted.

Frank Mowen, president of the OHW Board of Directors, said he wasn't worried that the idea of a woman president for OHW would set the former "Old Boys' Reunion" founder Phillip Baer rolling in his grave. "He'll just have to roll," Mowen laughed. "We're in the 21st century."