Metamora Journal

May 30, 2004
Memorial Day Ceremony. Conducted annually since the Civil War, more beautiful than I've ever seen it this year. Flowers were dropped into the canal and speakers commemorated those who gave their lives for their country, for us, in front of Red White and Blue bunting, and with the flags of the country, the services, and the legions on display. At the car bridge over the canal, Columbia and Lover's Lane. 2:00pm

May 16, 2004 (Sunday)
It was a typical Sunday. All shops were open as the season is now in full swing. All shops will be open on Saturdays and Sundays (at least) until Christmas now. I thought the tour bus from Saginaw, MI was going to get the long-distance visitor of the day award -- until I met the traveller from a resort town in Colorado. The weather was fair and cooler than last week.
The Metamora Country Store will be closed until Friday May 21. Beginning in June we'll be open Tuesday through Sunday each week.

May 15, 2004 (Saturday)
It was the 3rd saturday of May and the Delaware Rangers Wild West Show was in town. This gang of friendly desparados arrive on the Whitewater Valley Railroad 1:30 train from Connersville the 3rd Sat. of May, and that of July-Oct. As always they roamed the streets at will for 2 hours in their old west get-ups. They left on the 3:30 train back to Connersville though, and Metamora settled back down. Being on the train with them is really the place to see them best. The train stops in Laurel, IN and the Delaware Rangers stage an extensive and impressive Wild West re-enactment. It's a show everyone should get to see sometime!

Although it was a big weekend for prom goers and for various college graduations around the state many, many shoppers found Metamora. Although the day started out with dreary weather, it brightened up considerably and turned out alright for the many shoppers and visitors. The farthest travelled visitors of the day, that we met at least, was a school group from Huntington, IN. It was a rare Saturday visit by a school group, and they were all great kids.

For more on special Wild West Trains conducted by the Whitewater Valley Railroad, click here.

May 8 & 9, 2004 (Mother's Day Weekend)
It was Mothers Day weekend and we were delighted to see many, many families visiting Metamora and shopping with us. The weather was exceptionally nice. There were many vintage cars in town as a group showing their cars at the Rushville Car Show came to Metamora for the day.
One family of 4 adult children visiting their Mom this mother's day represented 5 different states.
The State Park facilities appeared to have brisk visitation at both the Grist Mill and Canal Boat riders. The train from Connersville arrived on time (1:30) each day, and also departed on time, also doing a nice business with numerous riders.

May 1 & 2, 2004 (May Day Celebration)
Although several shops have been opening on weekends since March, this was the first weekend the Metamora Country Store has been open. Our sign on the building still says Yankee Trader and no doubt we'll remain "Yankee Trader" in the minds of many customers and townsfolk for some time to come.
I maybe mistaken but I think this was opening day for the Canal Boat operated by the State of Indiana. I think the Gristmill opened earlier.
This weekend is an unofficial kick-off to the summer season and the merchants of Metamora gather for a communal breakfast. This year it was once again held at the Hearthstone Restaraunt. Attendance was very good.
There was a railcar club in town. These hobbyists own and operate small 2 person rail cars that railroads use to move workers around up and down the tracks. They like to use the tracks between Connersville and Metamora because they're well maintained but lightly used, and still accessible to them. Thanks are due to the Whitewater Valley Railroad for allowing these unique cars to come to town. They're really quite a sight!