37th Old Home Week returning to its 1902 roots
In 1901 noted concert singer Philip E. Baer suggested a homecoming celebration in his hometown of Greencastle. The next year the first Old Boys’ Reunion took place in the form of a chicken dinner in the Town Hall, a minstrel show, speeches and band concerts on Center Square and a picnic along the Conococheague.
In 2010 Old Home Week will return to its roots.
Monday evening the Greencastle-Antrim Old Home Week committee learned that an effort is underway to return Sandy Hollow to its early 20th century look and make it a visitor location during the 37th Triennial approaching from July 31 to Aug. 7.
OHW President Ben Thomas Jr. reported that Venture Crew 287 led by Dr. Jerry Harness and Dr. Joseph Thornton will restore the location of the first Old Boys’ Reunion located about a quarter of a mile south of the old five-arch bridge along the Conococheague. The plan is to open the area known as Sandy Hollow in 1902 for two days during Old Home Week for visits and picnics.
“What a fitting tribute to the original Old Home Week,” said Thomas.
The location is the site where the photograph of the original event was taken. Now the official Old Home Week photo is taken in Center Square.
“It’s a beautiful, beautiful site,” said Thomas, who recently visited the area. “It’s like a huge canopy of trees.
“It would be nice for us to get together for a picture there.”
The original 1902 photo is the logo for the 2010 celebration.
Other business
The deadline for events to be included in the Old Home Week program booklet is quickly approaching. Items must be submitted to Frank Ervin by Tuesday, June 1. Information can be sent to Ervin at Carl’s Drug Store, 145 N. Antrim Way, Greencastle, PA 17225 or e-mailed to frank.ervin@carlsdrugstore.com
Badges, which entitle the wearer entrance to all Old Home Week events, will be sold at the Greencastle-Antrim Sidewalk Days July 9 and 10 in downtown Greencastle. The cost is $6.
The Old Home Week headquarters will again be located in the Conn Building of Tower Bank at the northwest corner of Center Square. Headquarters will open at noon Friday, July 30. Twenty-seven volunteers will have the headquarters open 103 hours during the week.
The phone number for the Old Home Week headquarters is 504-5397.
The Old Home Week committee will next meet at 6:30 p.m. Monday, June 28 in the Rescue Hose Company Fire Hall.