Women of community continue tradition
By KAREN BITNER Echo Pilot

The world of dance was explored during the Loyal Daughters meeting, furthering one of the stated aims of the group, "to mold the past with the present."

Not too long after Phillip Baer proposed his "Old Boys' Reunion" the women of Greencastle decided to do something similar, and the Loyal Daughters was born. The group first met in 1920 and became official in 1923, with every woman in Greencastle eligible for membership. The stated aim of the group has been "to advance the welfare of Greencastle and to mold the past with the present."

Dues for the group-a bargain at $3 for a three year membership-go to pay for a variety of good deeds around the neighborhood, including historical plaques and charitable gifts to groups such as Red Cross Disaster Relief.. The Loyal Daughters meet once every three years during Old Home Week, and this year's meeting was Tuesday, Aug. 7 at the Rescue Hose Special Events Center. Time for renewing friendships, registering and viewing displays began at 1 p.m., the event program started at 2 p.m.

President Marcie Zimmerman introduced OHW president Jeff Shank, who joked that he had to make sure he said the right thing. "I'm checking for the exits, since I'm the only man here," he said.

Women of all ages attended the meeting, from 15-day-old Emerson Graff, to 95-year-old Pauline Williams Rinehart.

Musical entertainment included Colleen Labutta singing "Shall We Dance" and Sarah Signore singing "God Bless America." Jean, Dotti, and Hannah Zimmerman conducted a memorial service for Loyal Daughters who have died since the last meeting.

"Shall we dance" was the meeting's theme, and entertainment included dancers from Clarissa's School of Performing Arts, performing a variety of modern dances including ballet, jazz, tap and tumbling. Danza Antiqua, the performing duo of Nancy Walker and Jeff Savage, demonstrated dances of long-ago, including minuet and tango. Walls and entryway were decorated with dance costumes from many eras.

At the conclusion of the program, the Loyal Daughters adjourned to enjoy refreshments of punch and cake, and made plans to meet again during Old Home Week of 2010.

The Greencastle Junior Women's Club celebrated its 50th anniversary during Old Home Week. Eileen Flenner leads the singing at the Old Home Week meeting of the Greencastle-Antrim Women's Fellowship. Jerry Lute, author of The Life and Legacy of John L. Grove, was on hand during Old Home Week for two book signings. Peggie Potts, Carlisle, Debby and Duane Cunningham, Greencastle, and Ramsey Potts, Morgantown, W. Va. chat during the Greencastle Presbyterian Church ice cream social. The two men were classmates at Greencastle-Antrim High School. Friends of the Besore Library hosted an open house during Old Home Week.