AURORA
MANCHESTER
GREENDALE
Page 20 THE BEACON November 2017
AURORA
By Fred Schmits
Community Correspondent
aurora @ goBEACONnews . com
Hi , Neighbors ! Okay , what comes to mind when you hear or see such words as train , school , ferry , or river . Most Aurora residents will have memories associated with these words . To John Newmann , the word “ river ” had a larger effect on him than most . His love of the river led him to an unusual and enjoyable occupation , one most of us wouldn ’ t think of when talking about the river .
After graduating in 1973 from Aurora High School and enjoying being a “ Red Devil ,” John attended Ball State . But John didn ’ t know what he wanted to study . To make money for college , Mr . Newmann took a job as a deckhand on the Aurora Ferry from 1973 to about 1978 . The “ pull ” of the river became strong for John . Even watching tugboats pass by was an exciting event .
The Aurora Ferry closed in 1978 because of the opening of a bridge upriver . Mr . Newmann was pondering what to do for work when a cousin suggested becoming a tugboat captain . The plan was to stick with the work , study for tests and prepare to be a “ boatman !”
Mr . Newmann liked this suggestion and began a career as a deckhand at McGinnis Co . in the Cincinnati harbor . Soon he was on the path to becoming a tugboat operator . During his training , John taught vocational education courses for deck hands and other inland waterways occupations at Cincinnati schools . He was also an instructor for
O ur adult continuing education classes . Then Inland Marine Co . in Hebron , Ky offered John a position as a pilot and captain . He was able to gain experience that proved to be invaluable . Mr . Newmann was even a barge line operator of tugboats .
Mr . Newmann did experience a medical situation requiring open heart surgery for a blockage of the aorta . He now has a medical waiver so that he can still be licensed to be a captain .
Because of Mr . Newmann ’ s experience , a large company pursued hiring him almost immediately . In 2006 he was “ posted ” by Ingram Barge Co . as an expert in the upper rivers of Ohio , Mississippi and the Illinois from Cairo to Jolliet . “ Posted ” is a term used to describe a captain with knowledge of the rivers .
Today Mr . Newmann continues his career as a captain . His duty requires six months on and six months off of the river . When asked about the most demanding parts of his job , he indicated that a captain acts as a parent . He is responsible for absolutely everything involving all men on board , all of their needs , their health , and above all , safety . The vigilant leader never rests . The noise and vibrations of the powerful engines cause a constant stress .
A question was posed to Mr . Newmann about an inspiration he had when he saw a tug named “ the Kathy N .” Perhaps seeing the tug was an omen because he married Cathy Teaney from Aurora . They have three children and nine grandchildren . John stated without hesitation , “ Women involved with ‘ river men ’ must be very supportive or else one can ' t do it .” Cathy certainly represents a wife who is .
Many people associate life on the river with stories
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of Tom Sawyer authored by Mark Twain . Technical advances and top-scale radar make it possible for many boats to be on the river at the same time . These boats are all Sub-Chapter “ M ” vessels subject to the rules and regulations of the U . S . Coast Guard and Home Land Security Agencies . River movement of large amounts of goods and materials is the most efficient means of transportation in today ’ s business world . Keeping logs of every movement and activity is a constant task , but one that has to be done .
Life is not always dreary on the river . The joy of the job is in viewing nature ’ s sunsets and the interior of the United States . The chances are still there for young men to do this today .
Well , that ’ s it . But did you ever wonder … has the Indiana Highway Department abandoned State highways in Aurora ? Let me hear from you .
MANCHESTER
By Leona Houchens
Community Correspondent
manchester @ goBEACONnews . com
“ If life gives you lemons , make lemonade !” Turning a tragic event into something good is exactly what the Tucker family of Versailles is doing in memory of their son Tanner ( basketball jersey # 30 ). In 2010 , senior Tanner Tucker was stolen from his family in a deadly car crash . On Sept . 16 his spirit lived on through a “ Pay It Forward 3-ON-3 Low Rim Basketball Tournament ” to raise funds for the Tanner Tucker Scholarship .
Several South Dearborn teams participated , and Manchester ’ s team took first place in the fourth- to sixth-grade division . MES sixth graders Carson Davidson , Gabe
GREENDALE
By Gloria Carter
Community Correspondent
greendale @ goBEACONnews . com
Fall is rapidly approaching , and the weather will be getting cold soon . Now is the time to enjoy the rest of what we have left of the summer . My brother , John Kush , who lives in Houston , was one of the lucky ones not to be flooded out by Hurricane Harvey although flooding did occur just down the street from his home . Beverly & Vern Montgomery who reside in Venice Fl . were also fortunate enough to escape
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Gabe Arnsperger , Brodie Teke , and Carson Davidson took first place in the 4-6th-grade division of the Pay It Forward 3-ON-3 Low Rim Basketball Tournament .
Arnsperger , and Brodie Teke played their “ hearts out ” to be part of raising over $ 4000 in Tanner ’ s honor . Brodie Teke said that his brother Tobie wore jersey # 30 in memory of Tanner when he played basketball in middle school . Brodie was so honored to get to play on his behalf too .
So who is that little black burro standing his ground between two corn fields along State Road 48 north of Manchester ? Now it appears he has broken through the fence ! Well , it is not Shrek ’ s “ Donkay ,” nor is it Don Quixote ’ s woebegotten “ Rocinante .” The mystery is over ; this little glassy-eyed friend is none other than local farmer Jim Ashton ’ s carefree “ donkey .”
About ten years ago this much loved Manchester mascot arrived in Mr . Ashton ’ s field as a joke . At the time , Mr . Ashton ’ s neighbor had a living , eating , breathing donkey who , Mr . Ashton kept pointing out , brought no profit to the neighbor ’ s farm . So why did the neighbor keep it , Mr . Ashton queried . The answer he got back was that he just liked looking at it . Mr . Ashton decided to tease his neighbor by bringing in a statue of a donkey to prove that one could enjoy looking at a donkey without any cost for its upkeep .
Soon after Mr . Ashton had his fun , he discovered that his donkey was serving a much higher purpose . A cancer patient used to pass
any damage to their home , their store and family ’ s homes . Very scary for the Montgomery family . Beverly had a video of the fierce winds on Facebook . Glad to see all of you are safe .
I have interviewed a gentleman by the name of Bob Putnam . Bob has been feeding the squirrels with the help of his trusty partner , Muffins II , in Greendale Cemetery for about twelve to fourteen years . The trunk of his car is loaded with large bags of corn . Bob said that he and his dog go through at least one large bag of corn a week feeding the squirrels in two areas of the cemetery . One feeder is located in the back of the playground on Sunset Avenue . Not only does his feeder attract squirrels , but also birds , and deer . Sometimes a stray possum has been known to enjoy a meal of corn supplied by Bob . I have found it also attracts dogs , not to eat the corn but to chase the squirrels . Presley , Terri Seitz ’ s dog , just stands and waits for her opportunity to pounce on a squirrel . Bob lives on Sunset with his
He ' s back ! Jim Ashton ' s donkey breaks through the fence in hopes of finally being recognized ! Please help us give him a name .
by his farm every week on the way to chemo treatments . After one such trip , the patient stopped by the Ashton ’ s farm to let Mr . Ashton know how much he looked forward to seeing the donkey and discovering where the Ashtons had moved him . The patient thanked the Ashtons for easing the strain of the seemingly endless drive towards recovery .
That was just the beginning ! Over the years , the Ashtons have received innumerable cards and letters of interest about the donkey , telling them how much he has meant to their children and their families . Sadly that donkey does not have a name . We challenge the families of Manchester to send your ideas for a name to Manchester @ goBEACONnews . com . I ’ ll let you know the top five names to vote on in my next column . Until then , may God Bless you with health , wealth , and happiness !
Bob Putnam ( the Squirrel man ) fills a feeder in the park .
daughter Garnett Cavanaugh . He served in the Air Force during the Korean War .
Sadie , one of BJ ’ s walking buddies , has passed . She was an eleven-year-old lab . Sadie would always greet me with her whole body wiggling . She loved her walks through the cemetery with her owner , Connie Sandbrink . We will miss walking with you Sadie .
Enjoy the beginning of fall and all of its colors . My husband just bought a snow blower in anticipation of lots of snow this winter .
Happy Birthday to Debbie Seymour on October 8 .
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