Tracy Smith Comes Home to Kentland
The Kentland Rotary Club hosted a Tracy Smith Celebration on Monday December 16th in the Steven Ryan Community Center. Approximately 100 people joined in the celebration with refreshments and a chance to here Tracy share his philosophy, reminisce about his days in Kentland, encourage the youth to work hard and everyone to give back to their community. Donnie Smith, Sandy Smith, and Jamie Smith, and Todd Reid joined Tracy Smith on his Kentland adventure. Tracy shared slides of the 2013 IU Baseball team, visited with classmates, teammates and interested community members. Coach Smith dedicated most of his presentation to answering questions from the audience. Tracy also autographed items that people brought to the event. Several items of IU memorabilia items were auctioned and the $1700.00 in donations and auction proceeds will be distributed to the Brook, Goodland, and Kentland Little League Baseball associations. Tracy received a mini Hillerich & Bradsby baseball bat from the Kentland Rotary in appreciation for his support of the local youth. Thanks to Chris Bell and the South Newton athletic department for the popcorn, Murphy’s Food King for help with the food and drinks. Rotarian Jim Schoen organized members Darrell Fredrickson, Brandt Stum, Kirby Drey John Cook, Doug Morgan and Rev. Ed Vanwijk to grill, serve, and publicize the event. The Rotary Club members set up the chairs at their noon meeting on Monday and put them away at the end. Also thanks to Town of Kentland for the use of the Community Center and the sound resources.