Author name: Jessica Stroud

hayswood 3

Celebrating Hayswood Theatre

Flashback Friday / /

Contributed by Teresa Douglass, Genealogy Specialist

Ahhh, the theatre! Tonight, HCPL hosts a performance of Shakespeare’s “Pericles” on the square in Corydon (hope to see you there!), and, coincidentally, tonight also marks the 56th anniversary of Hayswood Theatre’s premiere theatrical production, Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town,” on May 8, 1970.

Having access to live theatre is one of the many advantages of living in Harrison County, and we can thank all who have participated in Hayswood Theatre over the years. As a community theatre, Hayswood not only delivers excellent entertainment but also provides opportunities for residents to participate and explore their creative talents.

Here are a few pages from the playbill of Hayswood ’s 1970 premiere production. The bill provides the names of cast members, patrons and sponsors, and contains a short history of the theatrical group’s formation. View the playbill in its entirety in HCPL’s digital archives.

hayswood 1 hayswood 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

hayswood 3

Celebrating Hayswood Theatre Read More »

Who's Awesome Trevor April 2026

Who’s Awesome! Trevor Smith – April 2026

Who's Awesome! / /

Trevor Smith, systems administrator, was HCPL’s Who’s Awesome! winner for April.  Trevor was one of 15 nominations for the honor this month.

The nomination from Assistant Director Jessica Stroud read, “Every month there are many reasons to nominate Trevor! This month he was challenged with continuous issues on the library’s VMware server, but he persevered in getting it sorted out with minimal downtime for patrons and staff. Trevor also graciously helped me attach the vinyl stickers to the yard signs to promote the Pericles performance. I’m sure that I am missing other items that he’s accomplished this month, Trevor continues to be awesome!”

Trevor was also the Who’s Awesome winner for June 2023. In August of 2017, He joined HCPL’s staff as systems administrator.

Library Director Alisa Burch also nominated Trevor this month writing, “In addition to his regular duties of keeping HCPL’s network up and running, Trevor created banners to promote the library’s summer reading program and the SoIN to Shakespeare performance this month. He also served as runner on April 28 while Steven was out. I appreciate his willingness to help wherever he is needed. Trevor is   awesome!”  Burch also nominated Trevor in January stating, “Trevor did a great job of handling the interviews with Cybertrack for the F4 Meeting on January 14. He even introduced the cybersecurity experts to some resources. Trevor is awesome!“

Last month Stroud wrote, “HCPL’s VMware server at the Corydon branch, the library’s primary server, unexpectedly started misbehaving on Saturday, March 28th. Trevor took swift action on Monday and continues to troubleshoot the issue into Tuesday to ensure access to the network and important online services for patrons and staff. Thank you, Trevor, for your continued support, reliability, knowledge, and skills.

Each month a winner is selected by random drawing. Other staff members nominated in March were   Sarah Dorton, Teresa Douglass, Amanda Embrey, Nikki Esarey, Shawnda Mosson, Heather Rapp, Jon Schraffenberger, Jessica Stroud, Brandy Wilkerson, and Coby Young.


Article by Alisa Burch, Director

Who’s Awesome! Trevor Smith – April 2026 Read More »

Clover Valley Hatchery and Airport

Flashback Friday / /

Contributed by Teresa Douglass, Genealogy Specialist

At the Clover Valley Poultry Farm and Hatchery near Ramsey, farming was combined with flying.

Chicks + planes = Free Bird? 😊

clover 1Clover Valley Hatchery and airport near Ramsey, Indiana.

George F. Pinaire began what became Clover Valley Poultry Farm and Hatchery in 1906 and developed it into one of the most modern hatcheries in the region. He was later assisted by his sons, William and Clifford. The Pinaires continued to modernize and expand the business, opening a second hatchery in Depauw in 1936, followed by additional branches in Milltown and Seymour, Indiana, and a plant in Bellflower, California. George Pinaire died in 1937, and his son, William, continued to manage the Indiana plants, while Clifford managed the California operation. A leading aviation enthusiast, William Pinaire, had a private pilot’s license and owned three planes. He established a 1,600-foot runway on his Ramsey farm (seen in the foreground of the photo, with a plane at far right), and in the late 1940s, he purchased an additional 16 acres to build another runway, 2,100 feet long. Pinaire offered to pay for flying lessons for his employees with the idea of possibly flying the hatchery’s chicks to market. His primary reason, however, was to simply show his workers “how much fun it is to fly.”

Check out more farm photos in HCPL’s Farms, Crops, and Animals collection.

 

 

 

 

 

Clover Valley Hatchery and Airport Read More »

2026 National Volunteer Month

HCPL celebrates library volunteers

Notices, Volunteers / /

In honor of National Volunteer Month, Harrison County Public Library proudly recognizes and extends its heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated individuals who volunteer their time, skills, and passion in countless ways. Their efforts strengthen the library’s mission to provide free access to information, foster lifelong learning, and create meaningful connections across Harrison County.

HCPL has dependable and energetic volunteers who offer a variety of experiences and expertise. Harrison County Public Library values each of the 20 volunteers who serve the library and help HCPL better serve the community.

The library board of trustees is comprised of volunteers appointed by local elected officials: the county council, the county commissioners, and the school boards. HCPL’s seven board members serve four-year terms and oversee the finance, policy, and planning activities at the library.

Thank you, board members, for your dedication of time, talent, and expertise:
Sharon Mathes  – President
Sharon Rothrock – Vice-president
Barbara Smith – Secretary
Members at Large – Derrick Grigsby, Pam Bennett Martin, Jo Ann Spieth-Saylor, Sharon Rothrock, and Doug Zeidler.

Behind every successful library is an active Friends of the Library group. The Friends of Harrison County Library, Inc., raises funds through book sales for programs, activities, and supplies. In addition to monetary funding, the Friends lend a hand during special events. They also sponsor the prize books given to the youth during the summer reading challenge. The Friends meet every other month, beginning in January, and host a book sale on the 2nd and 4th Saturday of each month at the Book Box. The Book Box is the building in the library’s back parking lot. The Friends also raise money through membership. An individual membership is $5.00.

Thank you, Friends of the Library, for your time and support:
Cyndi Voyles – President
Cindy Daily – Vice-President
Christine Pendleton – Treasurer
Susan Isbell – Secretary
Active Volunteers – Lynne Schipp,  Karen Eves, Natalie Crosier, Cheryl Fisher

Although librarians provide many adult programs, others are led by volunteers who bring quality programming through their expertise in specific areas, such as book discussions, photography, and painting.

Thank you, volunteer programmers, for your dedication and expertise:
Gary Pope – Memories and Memoirs Book Club
Gabriele Williams – Through the Lens – photography

The general public may not realize that a small group of volunteers repairs and cleans library materials, as library users should not attempt to make book repairs at home. If a book’s page or binding becomes loose due to a tear or rip, library volunteers can repair it with glue or a binding machine. Inside each CD case is a paper to note issues or disc problems.

Thank you, cleaning and repair volunteers:
Christine Pendleton – Book repair
Lynne Schipp – Book repair
Walter Ryan – DVD cleaning and repair

A reception recognizing HCPL volunteers will take place on Thursday, April 30th, from 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. at the Corydon branch.

The Friends of the Harrison County Library will celebrate their 40th anniversary in June!
FoHCPL logo
There will be a two-hour Open House on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, in the Corydon branch.

Stop in, enjoy some old photos and articles. Meet some of the Friends, and if you are not a member, take this opportunity to join us and support your local library!

Light refreshments will be served.
The Friends look forward to seeing you there!

HCPL celebrates library volunteers Read More »

Hats off to the library!

Flashback Friday / /

Contributed by Teresa Douglass, Genealogy Specialist

This week has been National Library Week, so today we engage in a little shameless self-promotion and salute HCPL with a glance back at our humble beginnings. So hats off to the library and to its many patrons and supporters over the years!

hats off 1Olive Griffin at the lending library in Griffin’s Dry Goods Store, ca. 1898.

Olive Griffin (1876-1958) peruses a book in the lending library that she conducted in the millinery department of her family’s dry goods store in Corydon. The collection of books in Griffin’s store served as a precursor to the Corydon Public Library, which Olive and other members of the Griffin family helped develop.  Visit HCPL’s Griffin Family Photos Collection.

hats off 2hats off 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1909 newspaper article about a benefit given to help establish a public library.

This 1909 newspaper article covers a tea held by the Women’s Literary Club of Corydon to benefit the establishment of a local public library. The tea was held at the home of one of the club’s members, and the admission fee was a donation of a book for the proposed library. The event was a success with the donation of 119 books. The article lists all who donated and the titles of the works they contributed.

See the Woman’s Literary Club of Corydon minute book.

hats off 4This paragraph, taken from the above article, shows a deep appreciation for library supporters and their “wide-awake interest” in developing a public library that will “have reason to rejoice” over the library’s continued growth.

HCPL strives to meet and exceed these expectations, and we hope to continue giving our patrons reasons to rejoice!

 

Hats off to the library! Read More »

NLWD-logo-20151

HCPL celebrates National Library Workers Day, highlights staff

Notices / /

Today is National Library Workers Day, a day to highlight the critical role library workers play in keeping libraries running. Throughout today, let’s celebrate by recognizing the amazing staff who work at Harrison County Public Library.

Circulation Staff

2026 Corydon Circ Library Workers Day (2) 2026 Lanesville Circ Library Workers Day (1)2026 Palmyra Circ Library Workers Day2026 Elizabeth Circ Library Workers Day (1)

 

Makerspace Staff

2026 Makerspace Library Workers Day

 

Reference Staff

2026 Reference Library Workers Day (1)

 

Youth Services Staff

2026 Youth Services Library Workers Day

 

Frederick Porter Griffin Center Staff

2026 FPGC Library Workers Day

 

Technical Services/Cataloging

2026 Tech Services Library Workers Day (1)

Specialists

2026 Specialists Library Workers Day

 

Administration

2026 Admin Staff Library Workers Day (1)

HCPL celebrates National Library Workers Day, highlights staff Read More »

1940s housewife

Are you ready for spring cleaning?

Flashback Friday / /

Contributed by Teresa Douglass, Genealogy Specialist

This 1947 ad for Herb Habermel’s Drug Store suggests a few products to get you started – all at rock bottom prices!

spring cleaning 1Pharmacist Herb Habermel (1904-1955) and his wife, Francis, opened a drugstore at 117 E. Chestnut Street in Corydon in August 1945 (this property was most recently occupied by Beckort Auctions, and is soon to be Williams Bakery). The store featured a wide variety of items, ranging from toiletries, cosmetics, and medicinal products to jewelry, clocks, toys, and household appliances. In addition, Habermel’s also sold medications for livestock, offered a laundry service, had a large soda fountain, and doubled as a Greyhound Bus station.

In 1952, the Habermels decided to move to Evansville and sold their drugstore business on Chestnut Street to William H. Butt, who then established Butt’s Drug Store at this location. Twenty years later, Butt Drugs moved into the adjacent building to the west (previously occupied by Ordner’s Variety Store, and before that, Jay C grocery) and continued to operate there until 2023.

To see photographs of Habermel’s and more ads, visit HCPL’s Habermel’s Drug Store collection.

Are you ready for spring cleaning? Read More »

nlw26-social

HCPL board issues National Library Week proclamation

Notices / /

Find your joy at HCPL during National Library Week, April 19 through 25, 2026.

First celebrated in 1958, National Library Week is a national observance sponsored by the American Library Association and libraries of all types across the country each April.

What brings you joy? Whether it’s cozying up with a new story, learning a new skill, gathering with community, or something else, you can find your joy at the Harrison County Public Library.

HCPL board issues National Library Week proclamation Read More »

kobby-mendez-5nexoDaoAv0-unsplash

Pass the syrup! (and no riding the Octopus for at least an hour)

Flashback Friday / /

Contributed by Teresa Douglass, Genealogy Specialist

For many years, springtime in Harrison County meant attending the annual Pancake Festival on the square in downtown Corydon. The local Jaycees sponsored the event, which featured rides, cakewalks, and, of course, pancakes! Here are some images to help you remember the fun, or if you missed it, make you wish you could have gone!

syrup 1One of the most popular events at the festival was a large pancake breakfast, which was always well-attended despite its early start. Above, Marvin Alstott (left) and Charles Miller (right) prepare cakes for the crowd in 1959. See the Corydon Photograph Collection.

syrup 2A large Ferris wheel operated on Elm Street near the Masonic Lodge and Corydon Post Office in 1962.

syrup 3Festival goers and rides on West Beaver and Elm Streets, 1968.

syrup 4See more Pancake Festival images in the J. D. & Elizabeth Williams Slide Collection.

 

Pass the syrup! (and no riding the Octopus for at least an hour) Read More »

2026 Parks Superpass

Get your 2026 Harrison County Parks Super Pass

Notices / /
The annual park pass program is sponsored by the Township Trustees in Harrison County. Each year, the Trustees pay for one $39.00 Super Pass for each household in Harrison County. This year, the Parks Department has attempted to simplify the program to make it easier for residents to pick up a pass. Each eligible household was sent a voucher on their tax bill, which they can redeem for their Super Pass. Take your completed voucher to one of the distribution locations listed below.

…

Get your 2026 Harrison County Parks Super PassRead More »

Get your 2026 Harrison County Parks Super Pass Read More »

Scroll to Top