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The Grandpa Gang in Middletown

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John Beagle View Drop Down
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    Posted: Jan 02 2008 at 1:45pm
A group of mostly-retired men formed the Grandpa Gang to set up and dismantle the displays as well as turning the lights on and off each evening and maintaining the displays throughout the event which runs from the day after Thanksgiving through New Years Eve. 
 
 
More information on the Grandpa Gang Efforts:
John Beagle

Middletown USA

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John Beagle View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote John Beagle Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jan 05 2008 at 1:08pm
I asked Ann Mort about the Grandpa Gang, here is what she had to say:

There are about 20 of them who work throughout November setting up the displays, then take turns during the season to maintain, repair, turn on and turn off each day.  In January, they dismantle and store the displays.  They do some maintenance during the year  - checking light strings, etc.

 

Several of the local restaurants realize the value of LUM to their bottom line as people go out for dinner and then visit the display. So, restaurant managers donate food coupons to the Grandpas to eat lunch at their place while they work.

 

Grandpas range in age from Bill Beck who is 50+ to some well into their 80s. 

Other organizations try to lure them into their construction teams but with little success. Given the age and length of LUM, most do only this one event. Several (such as Barney Strassburger, site manager,  and Dick Mort have a long history of helping set up All American Weekend.  Bill Becker has a long history with Fenwick Festival. 

 

 

Ann Mort
RMort@cinci.rr.com
513-649-4506

John Beagle

Middletown USA

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John Beagle View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote John Beagle Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jan 05 2008 at 1:10pm
The Grandpa Gang is currently being featured in the photo rotator on:
 
 
I think it is wonderful to have a town with people willing to volunteer to make things happen. Kudos to the Grandpa Gang!
John Beagle

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HereIam View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote HereIam Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jun 11 2008 at 3:54pm
The Grandpa Gang sounds like a great bunch of guys!  Do they do other projects through out the year?
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John Beagle View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote John Beagle Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Nov 06 2008 at 7:38am
Light Up Middletown gets Help from Police and the grandpa gang.

http://middletownusa.com/view_news.asp?a=3850
John Beagle

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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Middletown News Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Nov 06 2008 at 9:22am
Gotta love the grandpa gang. Without whom, Light Up Middletown wouldn't happen.
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.308 View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote .308 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Nov 06 2008 at 10:32am
I think this is one of those things that you just get better as you get older. And they are really good at it.
  : )
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HereIam View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote HereIam Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Nov 06 2008 at 5:37pm
They not only help in setting it up, but they volunteer the whole time it is running. - Great Job Guys!
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Middletown News View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Middletown News Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Dec 04 2008 at 3:52pm
Here is a photo I took today.
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arwendt View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote arwendt Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Dec 04 2008 at 4:48pm
Did it get that sunny today?
 
Nice shot. Now go back in the dark please.
 
LOL
“Sell not virtue to purchase wealth, nor Liberty to purchase power.” Benjamin Franklin - More at my Words of Freedom website.
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MadisonMom View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote MadisonMom Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Dec 09 2008 at 10:22pm
NIce shot of the flag. Now how about a manger scene?
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