Original spring founders names not mentioned

To the Editor:

This letter is an honorable mention and recognition to the original founders whom went unmentioned in the recent article and new findings concerning Walnut Grove Springs Bottled Water Company where Gov. Mitch Daniels served as guest for the official ribbon cutting ceremony.

After reading the article covered in the June 8, 2007 edition of this newspaper I quickly recognized that the names of the original founders, those that worked hard to set up and develop the spring for what was originally agreed upon to be a profitable business partnership, were not given any recognition.

I would like to publicly recognize and share my gratefulness to the men behind the scene; Bob, John, and Joe Pegg. These three men along with their families once worked the 400 plus acres of land in the Park Community where Walnut Grove Springs is located. For nearly 30 years the Pegg families ran and operated a dairy farm, raised crops, took care of the land and raised their children. I know how hard they worked, and I was disappointed not to have seen them receive the well-earned credit they so deserved by the omission of their names during this recent ceremony.

Thank you for allowing me this space and the opportunity to commend my father, John Pegg; my uncle, Joe Pegg; and my late grandfather, Bob Pegg who all worked and owned the land during an approximately 30-year time period between Commissioner Bill Helms and the Smiths who are the current land owners.

The area of Walnut Grove and Park community is definitely all that the article described when referring to this part of Indiana as picturesque and serene. Even the people that live in the community, most of which were nearby neighbors while I was growing up, were and still are friendly, trusting and helpful. Mr. and Mrs. Smith (the couple that currently operates the spring water company) made their way into this little part of Greene County several years ago, and I commend them for their hard work to beautify that countryside. However, looking back I know now that the quaintness once characterizing the area began to become tainted when the neighbors, my family included, opened their ideas and their homes to this couple whom they first trusted and believed. I learned then that the days of a man and his word were no longer part of life in the country.

Farming is a 24 hour, 7 day a week occupation that has many rewards and self-fulfillment as the farmer watches his farm and his efforts grow. Although a farmer gains the satisfaction of a job well done and the assurance of knowing he is feeding his family plus many, many others in the world this is not a guarantee for job security for the farmer and his family in the future. In farming it seems there isn't much room for mistakes and any mistake can take a turn in the direction toward a serious set-back. It was during those troubled times that my family met Mr. and Mrs. Smith.

Now is the opportunity to praise and speak out for the former Idle Acres Dairy Farm. I would like to say ... Dad, Uncle Joe, and Gramps you accomplished and you also sacrificed during those 30 plus years to support us and others in need. As many of those in the Walnut Grove/Park community you were friendly, helpful, and trusting when welcoming the Smiths as they first came to Greene County. Because you did what you knew to be best during that struggling time of operating the dairy, developing the spring, and entrusting the newcomers you all have a great deal to be proud of throughout this announcing of the spring water company's beginning because your hands also touched this establishment. Perhaps your names and efforts faded away quietly in the eye of the public and many never knew your story.

The years of hard work on the farm brought much good to our lives. Growing up and living in that beautiful, peaceful, and neighborly community you provided five children (and many of their friends too numerous to count) with many wonderful opportunities, experiences, and more importantly awesome memories to cherish forever. We know and God knows what all was accomplished, taught, shared, lived, loved, and true on land that was and will always be "home."

Thank you.

Melissa Frye

Lyons