milan @ goBEACONnews . com

We have had such a great summer here in Milan . One activity that has added some fun to our summer days is THE RIPLEY ROCK PROJ- ECT . I noticed my first rock earlier this summer at the Milan ' 54 Museum . One day as I was opening the museum and found a little painted rock with the word LOVE written on it sitting by the front steps . I wondered who had left it and thought it was a nice cheery way to start the day , so I left it for others coming into the museum to enjoy . The next day the painted rock was gone , and one with a heart painted on it had taken its place . A week later the mystery was solved . I learned about the PAINTED ROCK PROJECT on Facebook that had evidently taken the nation by storm . The rocks I had found were placed by the residents of Ripley Crossing , and these rocks were only a couple of the many that they had hidden throughout Ripley County . This fun activity was then picked up by families and groups throughout our communities . Soon rocks were found everywhere ! I think this project was good for the community and encouraged families to spend time together painting , looking for , and rehiding rocks . Now here it is months later , and I just found a couple of painted rocks hidden on my porch and in my flower garden for my husband and me to find , compliments of our neighbors Aly and Griffin Starost . I think everyone in the community has enjoyed this bit of shared happiness . Check it out on Ripley County Rocks Facebook page . I am sure there are rocks hidden all throughout your community as well . Look for them !

Another thing that has added so much to our community is a project that is over fifty years old . Chimes were installed at the Milan United Methodist Church in 1964 . The purchase of a set of Schulmerich Carillonic Bells was a project initiated by Mrs . Walter ( Mary ) Kohlmeier with the assistance of the Adult Sunday School Class . Mrs . Kohlmeier contacted the factory representative from Sellersville , Pennsylvania and completed the transaction . A major factor contributing to the decision to purchase was the donation of the installation service by Ralph Ruggles of the Ruggles Radio and TV Service , who

Griffin and Alyson Starost with some Ripley Rocks that they hid for their neighbors , Charlie and Susan Cottingham , to find .

was assisted by Denzil Eaglin , both members of the class . The class also received numerous unsolicited gifts toward the purchase and installation . The 25 bell carillon uses precision-tuned miniature bell metal tone generators , that when struck with metal hammers produce the tones in the traditional manner . Through modern technology , the vibrations are amplified a million times and projected from the roof of the church to be heard throughout the town . Originally the music was played automatically on prerecorded magnetic tape which was programmed and controlled from a basic control cabinet . In 2001 the system was updated and now the music is played from CDs . The chimes are also attached to the organ console and can be played manually for inside and / or outside reception . It has been the hope of the church that the carillon bells will reach many people in all walks of life with its message of inspiration , hope , joy , comfort , peace , and good will . I was fifteen years old when they were installed , and have pretty much always lived within a few blocks of the church . For all these years the chimes have comforted me , inspired me , and also kept me on time ! They ring four times a day , playing familiar hymns . The morning chimes were always helpful when I was teaching . They let me know that it was time to hit the road and head to work , and now the 4:00 chimes let me know that it is time to lock the doors of the museum and head for home . The chimes that play toward the end of the day are often a time for reflection . One such moment was on September 11 , 2001 . After the attack of 9 / 11 , the chimes were accompanied by the playing of taps , and it was a very moving moment . While many of those responsible for the chimes are no longer with us , the residents of Milan are

The United Methodist Church of Milan has blessed the community with a daily playing of Schulmerich Carillonic Bell Chimes since 1964 .

still enjoying their gift . Thank you to the United Methodist Church of Milan , to the Adult Sunday School Class , and to Judy Baylor for sending me the information !

By Linda Ickenroth

Community Correspondent

mooreshill @ goBEACONnews , com The True Blue Miller Man Gathering was held on July 29 at a local fish and game club . Elmer Miller was foreman

dillsboro @ goBEACONnews . com

The Dillsboro Heritage Festival will be held on Sept . 16-17 . The event celebrates one hundred years since the Civil War with memorabilia from the early twentieth century and a progression of the development of Dillsboro . The two-day event will also include a Veteran ' s Walk at the Community Park , Vintage Baseball game , horseshoe tournament , iron skillet throw , lots of vintage games , vintage music , square-dancing , oldtime gospel music , quilt-show and historical presentations .

The Heritage Festival Committee sponsored by the Dillsboro Community Partnership was presented with a check by Steve Black of the Southeastern Indiana REMC Operation Roundup . Accepting the award were Daryl Cutter , David Fryman , Cherie Rump and Lynn Westmeier of the Heritage Festival Committee . The grant will be used to perpetuate the Veterans Walk which will debut at the Festival Sept 16- 17 . The Veterans Walk honors community members who are serving or have served in the armed services . Each honoree

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The True Blue Miller Men .

of several men putting in locks at Markland Dam . Upon completion of the locks , he returned to Lawrenceburg , where he started the Roy A .

Miller & Son Company that specialized in building houses . The year was 1958 or 1959 . Some of his employees were Jim Blair , Bob Oelker , and Clarence Rummel .

After building houses , Mr . Miller positioned the company for commercial construction which included constructing schools , churches , hospitals , power houses , banks , Seagrams , Schenley , Pierson Hollowell , and many others . He employed a large number of people for many years . They were union workers .

A few employees worked more than forty years for Mr .

will have a sign placed around the Walking Trail at the Dillsboro Community Park . After the Festival , the signs will be collected and packed away , ready to be used again . Donations from local friends and family have also contributed to this event .

Mr . Black also presented a check to the Dillsboro Farmers Market for the purchase of a hand-washing station . The hand-washing station will be available at all outdoor events . Susan Greco , coordinator of the Market received the grant which is funded through the generosity of the REMC membership " rounding up " their monthly

Miller . Gary Johnson said that every time he talked with " Miller guys ," they all said they needed to have a reunion . Gary made some phone calls to get addresses and phone numbers , booked the club , and the " True Blue Miller Man " gathering was born . Thirty to thirty-five men and several wives were in attendance . Mr . Blair and Mr . Oelker attended the recent gathering . Mr . Rummel is deceased . A delicious meal was prepared by Ms . Day and others . Everyone said they must do it again soon ! By the way , Tom Slone was the first to say , " I am a True Blue Miller Man ".

Have news ? Email me at mooreshill @ goBEACONnews . com . See you all next time !

Daryl Cutter , David Fryman , Cherie Rump and Lynn Westmeier of the Heritage Festival Committee received a donation from REMC ' s Rounding Up Program .

electric bill to the nearest dollar amount .

Dillsboro Emergency Unit recently received training from UC Air Care . The Dillsboro Fire department and members of the community were also in attendance .