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Written by Chandra Mattingly [Staff Reporter]
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Monday, 30 November 2009 |
 Main Street Aurora President Matt Probst, flanked by Aurora Mayor Donnie Hastings, foreground, shows his surprise as he learns he is the recipient of Main Street’s Star Award.
In between, those attending were treated to dinner and an update on Main Street’s work.
Probst, part of Main Street Aurora for the past 10 years, volunteers his time to the nonprofit, said Main Street Aurora Director Karla Schmeltzer.
“Matt insists that his reward is seeing good things happen in his community,” she said.
Although he did not grow up in Aurora, his parents retired Major Richard and Sharon Probst live in Aurora, where his grandfather Eddie Probst was a lifelong resident.
Probst has a degree in finance and master’s in international business, but found his passion in 2001: teaching, said Schmeltzer. Currently the business division chairman at Ivy Tech Community College, Lawrenceburg, Probst is working toward his doctorate in organizational leadership.
His work with Main Street began in 1999 on the design committee, she said. Since then, he has served as design committee chair, treasurer, president-elect and for the past five years as president, said Schmeltzer.
Despite many obligations, including being treasurer for Dearborn Community Foundation and serving on the national board of Teachers of Accounting at Two Year Colleges, and the Student Success Initiative Committee, Probst finds time almost daily to devote to Main Street and the City of Aurora, she said.
He was awarded the Glenn Sample Regional Excellence in Instruction Award in 2005, Main Street Board Member of the Year in 2007, and, at the Indiana Cities and Towns Conference in 2007, the Larry A. Conrad Civic Service Award, said Schmeltzer.
Beyond committee meetings, setup, cleanup and everything in between, Probst has put on a jester costume, dressed up as Uncle Sam at the Aurora Firecracker Festival, and played “Nigel” in a murder mystery, all for the good of Main Street, she said.
More serious work for the nonprofit includes starting the first facade and sign grant program in 2002, a second program in 2004 and the most recent program in 2006, writing the grants to obtain matching funds, and creating the brochure for the program, she said.
“He was also instrumental in starting the Windows of Aurora project,” said Schmeltzer. She explained Probst saw the idea in another Indiana community.
“Thanks to the Design Committee and Southeastern Indiana Art Guild, we have just completed a total of 40 ‘Windows’ in downtown Aurora,” said Schmeltzer.
An exceptional grant writer, he has helped secure about $825,000 in grant funds to help with new street signs, the Churches of Historic Aurora brochure, streetscape projects, business recruitment, the business low-interest loan program, in-car police computers, renovation of the city pool, heating and air conditioning for the Aurora City Park Pavilion, and more, she said.
“He never misses an opportunity to ask a business, no matter where he goes, if they would be interested in coming to Aurora ... and I think the Mayor would agree that Matt has played a huge part in our 95 percent occupancy rate in downtown Aurora,” said Schmeltzer.
Probst’s family was on hand to applaud his award, with Probst thinking they were there only because his niece Samantha Jordanne Tibbs was to sing the National Anthem later in the program.
Kenny Jackson then presented Kentucky Colonels to Aurora residents John Borgman, a city councilman, and Luther Rice, former city judge. The honor is the highest Kentucky offers.
What’s Main Street do?
Probst told the crowd Main Street’s main purpose is to revitalize downtown Aurora.
“It’s all about trying to get people to come downtown,” to visit businesses, the art gallery and come to events, he said.
“We’re getting there,” he said, listing Main Street Aurora’s major events:
n Miracle on Main: “It’s meant to bring families downtown and give them something to do,” he said, noting the activities are all free.
n Breakfast with the Easter Bunny. In its third year, the breakfasts result from a collaboration with the Aurora Lions Club and the National Honor Society of South Dearborn High School, he said.
n Celebrate Aurora. The event includes announcing the sixth grade essay winners, who read aloud what they would do if they were in charge of the city, he said. Those attending also hear a State of Aurora address by the mayor, and State of Main Street address by its president or director.
n Volunteer Appreciation Day. Sponsored jointly with the city and RSVP, it recognizes volunteers of all sorts who help with the city, he said. This year Aurora Emergency Rescue and Aurora Fire Department also participated.
n Aurora Community Picnic. Held in conjunction with the America in Bloom judges’ visit, the picnic depends upon numerous volunteers, including the AIB Committee, Aurora Public Library, Aurora Lions Club and local Boy Scouts, said Probst.
n Horror, History & Hauntings. An annual Halloween event, this includes walking tours downtown and at Riverview Cemetery, and twice included murder mysteries, he said.
n Senior Dances on Main were new this year, but filled the Aurora Lions Club building with folks who like to dance, said Probst. A dance is planned for New Year’s Eve, with only a few tickets left. Next year, the monthly dances will begin in February and go through November.
Probst then listed a variety of projects Main Street has accomplished, with the most significant the Legacy Project resulting in the replica city street clock in front of the library.
Others involved brochures for a downtown walking tour, downtown alleys, and the Windows of Aurora, all ready to print, he said. Not to mention the windows project itself.
“It’s just amazing what they’ve done,” he said. Main Street just found out it will be able to do a third phase, hopefully resulting in 20 or 30 more window murals next year, he added.
Aurora’s participation in AIB earned it four blooms along with recognition for historic preservation, said Probst.
And the city was recognized by the National Main Street organization as a certified Main Street Community again, he said.
“I hope everything we do is making a difference for the people in the city,” said Probst, stressing Main Street could not do it without volunteers.
Main Street board members then presented the flags to the five veterans organizations: Keith Ross American Legion Post 231, Korean War Veterans Association Southeastern Indiana, Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Southeastern Indiana Vietnam Veterans of America.
All other retired and current service members in the group then were asked to come forward and applauded, after which Tibbs’ sang and door prizes were awarded. |
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Last Updated ( Friday, 18 December 2009 )
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Written by Register Staff
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Monday, 30 November 2009 |
Private services for Suzanne Buddenburg, 48, Rising Sun, will be held at the convenience of the family. Markland Funeral Home, Rising Sun, is in charge of arrangements.
Mrs. Buddenberg died Wednesday, Nov. 25, in University Of Cincinnati Medical Center. |
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Last Updated ( Monday, 07 December 2009 )
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Written by Register Staff
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Monday, 30 November 2009 |
Funeral services for Mary Lou Cochran, 71, Rising Sun, will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Dec.1, 2009, at Markland Funeral Home, Rising Sun, with burial in Rising Sun New Cemetery. Visitation is 11 a.m. until the time of services at the funeral home.
Mrs. Cochran died Thursday, Nov. 26, in Dearborn County Hospital, Lawrenceburg.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 07 December 2009 )
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Written by Register Staff
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Monday, 30 November 2009 |
Funeral services for Cooper Jay Rawat, 12, Lawrenceburg, were held Monday, Nov. 30, 2009, at Fitch-Denney Funeral Home, Greendale, with burial in Greendale Cemetery.
Cooper died Tuesday, Nov.10.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 07 December 2009 )
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