I moved to Remington in 2002 when I was offered a position at Saint Joseph's College. I had been living in Crawfordsville and was reluctant to leave because it was so close to Indianapolis and Lafayette and I didn't want to give up the amenities.
Remington was an easy choice as the place to raise my family. The organizations and activities, education, cost of living, and family-centered environment were just what I wanted for my personal and professional life.
That first Sunday we attended the First Christian Church and our neighbor, Harold Hackley, stood up and introduced and welcomed me and my kids. Harold and his wife Pauline stood up for us when Charlie and I got married four years later. For a long time we were known as Harold and Pauline's neighbors. They are still our best friends today. Harold just celebrated his 100th birthday.
The home I purchased needed some work on the outside, and every time I started a project, all of our neighbors came over and ask if they could do anything to help. They also gave me the history of the families who had owned the house before me. Their involvement made me want to do all I could to take good care of my home and be a good neighbor. Several times people stopped by just to tell me what a good job I was doing and how nice the house looked.
We participated in several school-sponsored activities and Vacation Bible School that first year, but my kids were so excited when it was time for Halloween. The Remington Lion's Club sponsors a costume parade downtown before the Trick-or-Treating time begins. Everyone from town is there to watch as costumed kids parade around the judges in a giant circle. Once they were teenagers, I thought my kids would outgrow the Halloween parade, but last year they put a lot of thought into their costumes in hopes of being chosen a winner. It worked! Seeing the community members celebrate our kids like that is one of my favorite times.
We are blessed to be in this place at this time.
Kendra is the Director of Alumni and Parent Relations for Saint Joseph's College. Her husband, Charlie, is on the Remington Town Board and is Chair of the Remington Wolcott Community Development Commission. They have three children; Victoria (16), Coleman (14), and Mason (12).