By Ray Tincher | For The Times-Post
The year 2007 was an exceptional year. Steve Jobs unveiled Apple’s first iPhone. The year also marked the beginning of the subprime mortgage crisis in the United States. A huge buildup of troops was sent to Iraq to fight the war. A shooter killed 32 people at Virginia Tech.
In 2007, Russian oil supplies to Poland, Germany and Ukraine were cut, as Russia played its power game. In February 2007, the IPCC published its fourth assessment report, having concluded that global climate change is “very likely” to have a predominantly human cause. Also, the fourth International Polar Year, a $1.73 billion research program to study the North and South poles, was launched.
Also in February 2007, North Korea agreed to shut down its nuclear facilities in Yongbyon by April as a first step toward denuclearization, receiving in return energy aid.
In August 2007, the Phoenix spacecraft was launched toward Mars to study its North Pole. A couple of weeks later, an 8.0 earthquake struck Peru, killing more than 500 people, injuring more than 1,300 and causing tsunami warnings in the Pacific Ocean.
In December, at the age of 81 years, 244 days, Queen Elizabeth II became the oldest ever reigning British monarch, surpassing Queen Victoria, who was 81 years, 243 days, upon her death.
Notable deaths in 2007 included Yvonne De Carlo, actress; Art Buchwald, American humorist; Sidney Shelton, author and screenwriter; Frankie Laine, singer; Anna Nicole Smith, actress and model; Arthur Schlesinger, historian and commentator; Betty Hutton, actress; Barry Nelson, actor; Kitty Carlisle, singer and talk show panelist; Boris Yeltsin, Russian president; and Wally Schirra, American astronaut.
Back in Lapel, the Lapel Fire Department appeared to be in great hands with its volunteer staff of Second Lieutenant Mike Zajel; Captain Todd Sears; First Assistant Chief Mike Lawther; Chief Jeff Passwater; Assistant Chief Jeremiah Martin; First Lieutenant Chris Sears and Secretary Nick Passwater. What a blessing to have such residents of Lapel, willing to give of their time to fill such important responsibilities for our community.
Also in Lapel during 2007, Judge Tom Clem swore in Kyle Bloom to Lapel Town Council. Hershel Hinkle was also reappointed to the council. The Lapel-Stony Creek ambulance crew was comprised of Kristen Smiley, EMS captain; and Bill Pape, EMS first lieutenant.
February 2007 was a bad winter storm time. Blizzard-like conditions hit this area. Schools were closed, and Madison County officials declared a State of Emergency because of the storm, which produced significant snow and blowing conditions.
In May 2007, Dave Bodenhorn dedicated 19.34 acres of land to the Town of Lapel, which has been developed into a park, with four ball fields, a playground and basketball courts. The area for softball has seen tremendous results, with softball teams coming from other areas to play our local teams. The future of this park looks bright as a fantastic addition to the Lapel community.
At Lapel High School (LHS), the staff were busy preparing the Class of 2007 for graduation. The faculty were Dave Barker, Mark Boudrot, Richard Cassiday, Dorinda Cassiday, Donna Caudill, Bill Chase, Danita Dittlinger, Katherine Ewers, Denise Gray, Lisa Hagan, Shawna Harrison, Cheryl Hensley, Tim Hildebrand, Lisa Holsinger, Jimmie Howell, Bobbie Johnson, Debbie Johnson, Jerry Kemerly, Sherry Krause, Kim Kuss, Mindy Linville, Krista Loller, John Maryan, Sharon McDermit, Brenda Mills, Kim Murdock, John Scholl, Larry Schuler, Greg Scott, Jane Shively, Loraine Smith, Cindy Stephenson, Julie Storm, Jeannine Terhune, Zoe Terhune, Stacy Wainscott and Tina Wilson.
The 2007 LHS Class of 2007 were David Addington, Phalisha Bogus, Tyler Ambrose, Kristen Bowen, Jeremy Baxter, Stephanie Brand, Aaron Beeman, Kelsey Brazel, Gregory Buck, Daniel Cobb, Natalie Burris, Hilary Conrad, Trent Burton, Robert Crane, Angela Carey, Ezra Cripe, Chelsea Crisp, Derek Faust, Tim Duckett, Hillary Fields, Christopher Durham, Molly Fields, Brittany Etchison, Kayla Filburn, Karley Flint, David Glover, Jeffery Follmar, Stephanie Goddard, Sarah Fort, Abigail Goldsmith, Alyssa Gernand, Michael Harvey, Josh Hershberger, John Hull, Sara Hoppes, Danielle Huntzinger, Kasey Horning, Johnathan Jobin, Klayton Huff, Amanda Jones, Jordon Justice, Matthew Krause, Carmella King, Baylee Lawther, Ivo Kluesner, Dustin Long, Branden Knepp, Thomas Marvel, Garrett McCurry, Dylan Morrison, Chelsie McGuffey, Ashley Mowrey, Matthew Mills, Marianne Oplinger, Oscar Moraga, Jacob Pebley, Paul Pelsue, Martin Pritchett, Kayla Petty, Caitlin Putman, Britney Polisky, Kelsey Renbarger, Tyler Prater, Verionica Reynolds, Kraig Rice, Sarah Shell, Justin Ridings, Bradley Skaggs, Michael Rushton, Chase Skiles, Travis Scherer, Ross Smith, Adam Souder, Aaron Thrasher, David Sowar, Kelly Turner, Kynda Springer, Phillip Walker, Lauren Steele, Cameron Weeks, Amy Williams, Rebecca Yeryar and Jordan Wiseman.
The LHS 2007 class officers were Kraig Rice, president; David Sowar, vice president; Danielle Huntzinger, secretary; and Lauren Steele, treasurer. The 2007 class sponsors were Danita Dittlinger and Brenda Mills.
The 2007 Homecoming King and Queen were David Sowar and Danielle Huntzinger. Everyone got into the school spirit with the football team going up against Shenandoah and winning.
LHS students went on a trip to London, England. Sarah Fort enjoyed the “London Eye.” Others enjoyed visiting the Longeat Castle. Chase Skiles and Ross Smith had the pleasure of sitting on top and in the front seat of an English double-decker bus.
In sports, the girls golf team finished with a respectable season. The boys tennis team finished with a 10-8 season. In football, Lapel was 5-5 for the season. In boys basketball, the ’Dawgs finished 16-8. Boys track had a productive season, finishing with an overall record of 25-10. Boys golf had a good year, finishing 10-5 and as WRAC Conference Champions. Baseball ended the season 18-11.
In girls basketball, the team finished the season 22-5; however, they were not satisfied with that record. They won their sectional and regional before falling in the semistate to a team that had beaten them during the regular season, Oregon-Davis, 77-47.
Sometimes students don’t really realize how lucky they are to attend a small school. Small schools give students an opportunity to play several sports. Small schools give teachers an opportunity to focus of each student, giving weak students extra support. Small schools usually create more unity among students, and when they are successful, they receive more recognition in the community. Go Bulldogs!
Ray Tincher attended Ball State University and retired from Indiana Department of Correction in 1997. He worked at IDOC for 30 years, serving in a variety of roles, from correctional officer to warden. At retirement, he received the Sagamore of the Wabash Award from Gov. Frank O’Bannon. He wrote several training manuals as part of his employment and is a published author: “Inmate #13225 John Herbert Dillinger (2007).” He and his wife, Marilyn, live in Lapel.
