When Fred St. John moved into South Madison County in 1946, he immediately began to impact young lives. For the next 28 years, he served as a teacher in the classroom, a 4-H leader on the farm, and a mentor to youth who participated in FFA. People who knew St. John say he was strongly dedicated to his community.

Herschel “Perk” Perkins grew up in a farming family and understood the value of a meal earned, the importance of sharing what you had and the wise investment in a job well done. After Perk’s passing, his family honored his belief and his teachings by establishing a fund that combines his loves of agriculture and reading in support of Read ‘n’ Feed at Pendleton Community Public Library.

Mrs. Johnston always believed that a town could be measured by its shelves.

Not the shelves in kitchens or parlors, but the ones lined with books—spines of every color, stories stacked like quiet promises. In 1919, when the Pendleton Community Public Library first opened its doors, she had stood just inside the entrance, gloves still on, and breathed in that unmistakable scent of paper and possibility. It was small then. Hopeful, but small.

The Lapel Teachers Fund was created by Clara “Peg” Roudebush in memory of her late husband. “Lester was encouraged by the teachers in the Lapel School District to further his ongoing education,” commented Ms. Roudebush.

Maybe you didn’t know about this, but Pendleton has a Garden Club, and it has been around for a very long time. The town’s garden club was created in 1937 with twelve members. The following year, the club became federated with the state of Indiana. Upon the federation, it then became a chapter of the National Garden Club.