Kentland Rotary November 28, 2011

Monday November 21 was a busy day for Kentland Rotary Club.   The Club donated $1,000.00 to the Covenant Federated Food Pantry to help with the growing need for food pantry items.   Volunteers distribute food items each Monday and served approximately 130 persons that day.  The week before Thanksgiving they served 167 patrons.  Peggy Rhanor indicated the need for supplies has increased and the cost of food items has increased also.   Food from the Pantry’s suppliers is priced per item now and no longer can be obtained on a per pound basis.  Much publicity has been given to the cost of peanut butter but other items have risen as well.  The Rotary Club also donated $500 to Newton County Community Services Christmas Food Basket Program.  There is always a need for supporting the organizations that provide needed resources for members of the community.

The theme of the Rotary meeting changed from food to flowers with the presentation of Dave Asher.  Dave shared the story of the “Tulip Trestle Bridge” that spans Richland Creek between the towns of Tulip and Solsberry, Indiana.  The span has 18 supporting towers and is 2,300 feet long.  The structure is the longest of its type in the United States and is the third longest in the world.  Construction on the bridge was completed in 1906 under the direction of the Indianapolis Southern Railroad.   The bridge is still in operation today and is operated by the Indiana Railroad Company today.  It continues to carry coal, corn syrup, and other products as they pass through Greene County.  Mr. Asher indicated the bridge was a good destination for a “day trip and picnic”.  The Indiana Railroad will provide an approximate time schedule to allow one to take photos of a train crossing the bridge.