Crown Point July 4th Celebration Committee, Inc.

We are pleased and honored that Marty Wheeler, president of the Lake Court House Foundation, is serving as our 2011 Grand Marshal. Marty has been well known in Crown Point her entire life as she has served in various civic, community, and public service endeavors. Today, she proudly is representing the Lake Court House Foundation, the organization responsible for not only maintaining, but securing the future of the Old Lake County Courthouse, affectionately known as the 'Grand Old Lady' and great landmark of northwest Indiana.

Marty's family has a proud, historic tradition in Crown Point. Many of you knew her husband Harold, a fine man who was a long time banker and appraiser in Crown Point and a founding board member of the Crown Point Community Foundation. Marty has three adult children and five grandchildren and many friends who are like family to her. Of course, the Wheeler name is synonymous with the founding of Crown Point through its relation to Solon Robinson, the founder of Crown Point, Colonel John Wheeler, a famous Civil War leader who was killed tragically at Gettysburg, and John J. Wheeler, the founder of the Lake County Star.

Marty's personal community involvement is legendary. Many of you know her as the 25 year Center Township Assessor. But, she's been involved in many organizations such as the Lake County Historical Society, the Old Homestead Society, the Sheriff's House Foundation, as a board member with the YMCA, past board member of St. Jude House, chairperson of the Pumpkin Festival, St. Anthony's Hospital, past president of Tri-Kappa, and many, many more. Presently, she is the president of the Lake Court House Foundation which she represents today.

The Lake Court House Foundation maintains and sees to the future of the most recognizable symbol of northwest Indiana, the old Lake County Courthouse. The 'Grand Old Lady' was built in 1878 and has seen many renovations and refurbishments through the years. Today, Marty is guiding the effort to preserve the old courthouse through a capital campaign that recently received a boost when Dean White offered up to $2 million dollars in matching funds to go toward its restoration. As this is a match, Mr. White is challenging all of us to dig into our pockets to help preserve our history. Your giving opportunity is available at the Lake Court House Foundation website, www.crownpoint.net/courthouse.htm.

Crown Point is a community of choice in northwest Indiana, and, Marty Wheeler has been at the heart of this effort. The Crown Point 4th of July Celebration Committee recognizes the significance of Marty's personal contributions to Crown Point, and the importance of her current challenge with the Lake Court House Foundation and its preservation efforts to keep the Grand Old Lady the beacon of Crown Point and all of northwest Indiana.

CROWN POINT FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION COMMITTEE

Your parade host, the Crown Point Fourth of July Committee, Inc. welcomes you to the 2011 Fourth of July Parade themed as: In the Good Ol' Summertime.

The Crown Point Fourth of July Celebration Committee is a not-for-profit organization which annually puts on the Crown Point 4th of July parade and fireworks events. The organization is made up of volunteers who have a passion for the freedoms the citizens of the United States enjoy and a desire to celebrate our country's independence at the local level here in Crown Point. Their efforts begin in earnest in the cold, snowing days of January because the planning and logistics of putting on a successful parade and fireworks display require a great deal of effort and coordination. Our hope and desire is that we provide shows today that appear to come off effortlessly and seamlessly to you.

Financially, the celebration committee is completely dependent upon the generous contributions of corporate and individual donations. The "upfront" contribution listed in the program under Explorer, Settlers, and Pioneers levels are representative of the funds necessary to underwrite the parade and fireworks display "out of the box." However, the majority of the funds needed to run the parade and fireworks come from YOUR tax deductible donations today. We are dependent on you for the funds that not only make today's parade and fireworks display possible, but that ensure that future celebrations can be enjoyed by you and your family. Please give to the Geisen Funeral Home Bucket Brigade generously as these volunteers go through the crowd seeking donations.

You may be wondering what kinds of costs are involved in putting on a parade. Well, there are the logistical costs (communication devices and golf carts), port-a-potties made available for your personal comfort, postage, printing, security, and prize money. You may be unaware that many of the displays you are enjoying are paid for by the committee. Without offering a payment incentive, entries such as the school bands would not be here today. Therefore, your contributions make the quality of what you are witnessing possible.

We would be remiss if we failed to mention a number of organizations that have made today's parade possible. The City of Crown Point annually makes a generous contribution to the committee that meets roughly 1/6 of our budgeted needs. Additionally, they provide the police, fire, and civil defense services necessary to put on an event of this size. We are extremely grateful to the City for its involvement and for the City employees who are working today.

We would also like to note that the celebration committee received a sizable gift from the Crown Point Community Foundation that helped us put on today's parade. The Foundation is all about helping to improve the quality of life and increase the sense of community we value in Crown Point and we are thankful that it gifted funds to our committee recognizing that our celebration committee's purpose is in alignment with the Foundation's mission.

So, without further ado, please enjoy yourself today!! Happy 4th of July to all!!

P.S. We are always looking for volunteers. If you think you might have a desire to be a volunteer, please call 663-8731.

The Crown Point July 4th Celebration Committee, Inc.

P.O. Box 124

Crown Point, Indiana 46308-0124

cpjuly4@hotmail.com

Special thanks to Angelo Pappas for all his support over the years...
Please patronize Twelve Islands Restaurant on the Square in downtown Crown Point.