2024 A Year in Review

JANUARY
“Light in Winter: The Exhibition” is now on display at the Crawfordsville Public Library. This exhibition features the artwork, stories and photography of Elise Brown Koning and Lydia Stewart. Light in Winter began as weekly stories sent to subscribers to help provide some inspiration during the winter months.
Recently, the Indiana Arts Commission announced it has awarded $3,431,351 to 414 nonprofits to fund arts projects and organizations around the state. Local recipients include: Covered Bridge Art Association Gallery-$7,246.
The Town of Rockville announced Monday, January 22, the EV Charges for electric vehicles are installed and ready to use. Now you can charge up your ride at 124 N. Jefferson Street and 401 E. Ohio Street.
Rockville Police Department and Rockville-Adams Fire Department were honored during the kickoff for the 2024 Bicentennial that was held January 15. There they received plaques and new badges sporting the Bicentennial seal.
A lasting fixture has been placed at 114 North Jefferson Street in downtown Rockville in the form a Bicentennial clock. Donated by Fountain Trust Company, it was officially installed Friday, January 26.
FEBRUARY
The girls of Golden Forrest bakery celebrated their one year anniversary of being on the square in downtown Rockville, February 1. They commemorated the day with special treats for their patrons including an anniversary cake and a shout out to all of their loyal customers. Their mission is to “bring a brighter future for you, your health, and the planet.”
Partnership Parke County celebrated their tenth anniversary with a catered dinner Thursday, February 1 at The 1900, in downtown Rosedale.
The Town of Rockville is celebrating 200 years! The Town Council proclaimed February 20, 2024, as Bicentennial Founder’s Day at a ceremony attended by a large crowd who gathered around the new Bicentennial clock on north Jefferson Street.
Dave Crooks, President of DLC Media, Inc. has agreed to sell three of his six radio stations, WAXI-FM 104.9 in Rockville being one of them. 3 Towers Broadcasting owned by Scott Huber and Johnny McCrory purchased the stations to add to the radio stations and digital newspapers in Greencastle, Shelbyville, Plymouth and Rochester.
MARCH
The 27th MVC Hall of Fame class features some big names in sports. Among them will now be Christie Barrett Sherman who was equally skilled when competing indoors. Barrett Sherman was a three-time NCAA runner-up, earning All-America honors both seasons, as well as also being the Gateway Conference Indoor Champion in 1990 and 1991.
Rockville Elementary School and Parke Heritage Middle School students traveled to Indiana State University March 2, to compete in in the National History Day regional competition.
The highly anticipated latest edition of the MainStreet Rockville Limited Edition Puzzle series, “The State Sanitorium” covered bridge, has just be announced by MainStreet. This is another product of the photographer Holly Hannum, who has given us other recent puzzle subjects to enjoy as well.
APRIL
Parke Heritage Middle School science teacher Haley Roach has been named one of the Golden Apple Award winners by WTHI Channel 10 in Terre Haute. During one of her afternoon classes, Haley was surprised when there was a knock on her door and Patrece Dayton of Channel 10 entered her classroom and presented her the award. Roach was nominated for the award by sixth grade student Madilynn Schaefer.
Local, Sandy Booker has achieved the top 25 percent in her age range this year and gets the amazing opportunity to move on to the Quarterfinal round of the CrossFit Open. Members of 51 Bridges CrossFit located in Rockville, are proud to cheer her on as she progresses in the competition.
Eclipse goers gathered on the courthouse square in downtown Rockville to see the Solar Eclipse, Monday, March 8. The event began around 1:45 p.m. with the totality taking place just after 3 p.m. Parke County saw an influx of visitors thanks to events and location during the path of the eclipse. The next one is said to not take place for another 20 years.
Parke Heritage Middle School (PHMS) recently experienced a transformation, thanks to the Indiana State Teachers Association (ISTA) and Aspiring Educators (AE) through their annual community partnership event, Outreach to Teach. Held Saturday, April 13, this event saw PHMS receiving a comprehensive makeover, which included painting the dugouts, making two murals in the hallways, revamping the teacher’s lounge, adding an outdoor court area, painting a crosswalk that students use to the local gas station, updating signs and more. Only one school in the state is selected for this project each year.
Parke County REMC, located in Rockville, is a nonprofit and member-owned electric cooperative serving over 9,800 consumers in rural portions of Parke, Putnam, Clay, Vigo, Fountain and Montgomery counties. The electric cooperative maintains approximately 1,865 miles of line. The new location on U.S. Hwy 41 is set to open April 29.
MAY
National Day of Prayer hosted by Parke County Ministerial Association was held Thursday, May 2. Community prayer was held on the Parke County Courthouse lawn. Many church and community leaders spoke while business owners and residents alike gathered to pray for the military, government, media, education and family.
Parke and Vermillion County Vals and Sals were featured in the May 22 Graduation Edition of the Parke County Sentinel. They included Riverton Parke: Carson Cox, Kendall Mongomery and Luke Robertson, Valedictorians; Hayden Hastings, Salutatorian. Parke Heritage: Cassie Miller, Valedictorian; Cooper Vincent, Salutatorian. North Vermillion: Autumn Vore, Valedictorian and Baylee Crabtree, Salutatorian.
The Parke Heritage High School tennis courts have been officially named Gambaiani Courts in a heartfelt tribute to Larry Gambaiani, who dedicated many years of his life to serving as the superintendent of Rockville Schools. This honor recognizes his significant contributions and unwavering commitment to the education and well-being of the students and the community. The newly named courts stand as a lasting legacy to his influence and leadership. A dedication ceremony was held Wednesday, May 22, to commemorate this special occasion.

For the full article, see the January 1 edition of the Parke County Sentinel.