DELPHI PRESERVATION SOCIETY HOSTS EVENTS

AT OLD SETTLERS CELEBRATION AUGUST 9-12, 2006

"Meet Jim Riley"

Nearly 50 people were in attendance Friday evening, August 11, 2006, as Robert C. Kriebel, “Old Lafayette” columnist and retired editor of the Journal and Courier, presented a program about Hoosier poet James Whitcomb Riley. Mr. Kriebel discussed Riley's life, his art and philosophy, as well as his close connections to the Delphi area. Readings of several Riley poems highlighted the presentation, including such favorites as "Little Orphant Annie," "On the Banks o' Deer Crick," "Out to Old Aunt Mary's, "Raggedy Man," "Knee-deep in June," "When the Green Gits Back in the Trees," and "Griggsby's Station."

James Whitcomb Riley performed at least six times in Delphi's Lathrope & Ruffing Opera House, which the Delphi Preservation Society is working to restore.

The Tonsil Klackers Return to the Delphi Opera House!

Back by popular demand, the zany, wacky Tonsil Klackers were a huge hit during their four performances on Saturday night during Delphi's Old Settlers Celebration. In all, more than 200 people climbed steep steps to the third floor of the Assion-Ruffing City Hall building to enjoy the music and to get a glimpse of the historic hall.

This was the second straight year for the Tonsil Klackers to perform in the historic Lathrope and Ruffing Opera House which first opened to the public in 1882. Once a grand theater, the opera house was closed in 1914 and fell into disrepair.

The Delphi Preservation Society has plans to restore the structure as a center for the performing arts so that it may once again become a venue for community theater, concerts, recitals, and more.

Performing in between sets by the Tonsil Klackers were members of Delphi Public Library's Stargazers children's theater group which recently completed an SRO run of "Annie, Jr." Cast members also helped by collecting donations toward the Opera House Restoration project.

Trolley Tours of Historic Delphi

Saturday afternoon, the Delphi Preservation Society sponsored free trolley car tours highlighting Delphi's historic homes and businesses. Greg Norman narrated the tours pointing out historic landmarks as Brian Stirm steered the trolley. The car, once part of the Interurban rail system, also shuttled passengers between the Courthouse Square and the Wabash & Erie Canal Center.

Delphi's IInterurban Trolley Car

Ol' Fashioned Root Beer…

Featured at the Delphi Preservation Society tent this year—draft root beer! Pictured above are DPS board members Dick Traeger and Andy Cougill preparing to serve the suds. Root beer floats were also offered with ice cream provided by the Lions' Club.

A raffle was held for a framed, limited edition lithograph of the City Hall building by local artist and DPS board member Carol Dickman. The winner of the raffle—Karen Hylton of Deer Creek!

Limited Edition Lithograph of Assion-Ruffing City Hall Building from original watercolor by Delphi artist Carol Dickman. 16" X 20" Signed & Numbered Lithographs available at $25.00 (unframed); 6.25" X 4.5" notecards are available at $2.50 each, or 5 for $10.00.

Buy a Lithograph of City Hall to Help Fund the Façade Restoration Project

The lithograph of the City Hall building was commissioned by DPS to commemorate the beginning of restoration activity on the façade of this downtown landmark located on the east side of the Courthouse Square. Partial funding for this project is provided through a matching grant of $18, 375 from the US Department of the Interior National Park Service's Historic Preservation Fund administered through the Indiana Department of Natural Resources' Division of Historic Preservation and Archaeology. This means that the Delphi Preservation Society must raise an additional $18,375 in matching funds. Sales of the lithograph and notecards will be applied to this project as will proceeds from additional fundraising events.

To purchase a signed, numbered, limited edition lithograph or notecards, please email DPS at delphi.preservation@gmail.com or contact Anita Werling at 765/ 564-2169.