Old meets new at Pingree Grove park
Like Pingree Grove, the new Centennial Park is a blend of the old and the new.
In addition to the newly built playground, a portion of the park is reserved for those who have made Pingree Grove what it is today.
The park, dedicated Sunday, pays homage to the town's founders -- Andrew, Andrew Jr., Daniel, Hannah and Israel Straw Pingree -- on a pedestal monument.
Seventy-two bricks carry the names of individuals who either had a role in the town's current growth, are longtime residents or are new to the tiny village of 2,500.
Memorial benches will follow in November.
"Today we have new faces in this changing village with high hopes and big dreams, carving out a place for themselves and their families," said Village President Clint Carey said during Sunday's dedication. "So today, I dedicate this park in the memory of our founders, and as a symbol to us all to never stop reaching for our dreams."
Twelve of the park's 72 brick pavers carry the names of the 12 brothers and sisters from the Awe family. A bench will pay tribute to their parents Milton and Margaret, who moved to Pingree Grove in 1936.
The 12 siblings were all raised on a dairy farm in Pingree Grove that once stood on Reinking Road.
Today, two siblings still live in town, six live nearby, one lives in Texas and three have died, said Connie Awe, 50.
Sunday, the Awes, two of whom live in the town's heritage district, marveled at the park and the town's overall changes.
"I never thought I'd see this day," said Howard Awe, 73.
Another brick, meanwhile, is dedicated to Ricky and Erica Popilek, who have lived in Pingree Grove since 2005.
The Popileks are in their 20s and reside in the newer portion of town developed by Cambridge Homes.
The couple, excited about the town's growth, say they moved to town seeking hopes of becoming closer to their family.
"We were the first in line when the sales trailer first opened," said Ricky Popilek, also a village trustee.
The park's location at Reinking Road also is a link between the past and the present, because it's in the middle of the new and old parts of town.
Pingree Grove officials and the centennial committee spent $60,000 on the memorial portion of the park, while Cambridge Homes, which donated one acre to the village for the park, took care of the playground.
As part of a new tradition, officials have planted an evergreen tree in the park for village Christmas tree-lighting ceremonies.
Pingree Grove celebrated its 100th anniversary in February and has held a series of events to celebrate.
Sunday's dedication marked the final event of the year -- a gala scheduled for November has been canceled due to lack of interest, said Cathie Vavra, chairwoman of the village's centennial committee.
To purchase bricks or benches, which help pay for the park's cost, visit www.villageofpingreegrove.org.