Submitted By: Pat Smith

If I remember correctly the 1959 Centennial celebration was at least partially financed by the sale of stocks. In fact, Greensburg Daily News Publisher and Editor Walter B. Lowe’s mother Elizabeth Lowe, who was 101 years old in 1959, bought the first certificate.

What I hope someone will write about is the turtle races that they held during the Centennial. Marlin Maddux told me about that years ago. Seems the committee sent off for these turtles and people bought how ever many they wanted to enter in the race. The turtles were named the most interesting names and the excitement grew as the day of the turtle races neared. I wish Marlin could tell us about it but maybe we'll be lucky enough that someone else who participated in those races will write in his or her memories about it.

I definitely remember the freckle contest. How they determined how many freckles were on someone’s face I can't imagine. That contest was held on Young American Day with Maurice Moeller was chairman. Jim Ernstes, 10 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Ernstes won the contest for the boys, Jimmy Klene was second and Gary Campbell came in third. In the female category of the contest Carol Galbraith won first. Penny Bills was second and Melita Hancock came in third.

Oh yes! There was also a bubblegum blowing contest. A 12 year old, I think his name was Eddy Morgan, won that contest with a six-inch bubble. Steve Allen and Danny Small tied for second place when the judges couldn't decide exactly how big the bubble was. Anita Hoban and Betty Elliott tied for first place for the girls division of the contest. It sounds like the judges were afraid to get close enough to really measure the bubbles. More likely, I guess, they knew that if they touched that bubble it would burst.