In 1910 J. Falconer Fraser wrote a song about our tree on the tower naming it a maple “If you don't know the name just please stop the train where the maple grows high on the tower.” Next people decided it was a linden and later they were sure it was a poplar. The Smithsonian Institute of Washington, DC, studied it and found it to be a large tooth aspen. Now the experts at Purdue tell us that the tree on the tower is a mulberry tree.

It doesn't matter what kind of tree it is, just that it's there. We have a lot to be proud of in Decatur County but our tree is a front-runner for many of us. There isn't a better conversation starter in the world.

Ginny Garvey has outdone herself this year with the Historical Society's yearly calendar. The first year had pictures of various doors in the county. Last year it was towers and steeples of the county. The calendar for 2009 is the best one so far with 16 different views of “The Tree” plus a picture of the “innards” of the clock. Marc Haston wound his way to the top of the tower to get that one. I'd never seen some of the pictures. Most are photographs or postcards from the collections of Russell Wilhoit, Ginny Garvey, Charles Lewis Abrell and Marc Haston.

Have you ever seen a picture of the whole courthouse before the tree started growing on the tower? Taken in the 1860s the photo shows that it's still brick with limestone trim. The trees are little saplings and horses are tied to hitching posts. Titled “Before the Tree” is a page of history of the tree. Next is the page titled “Inside the Clock” with four views of what makes the clock tick.

The cover is a drawing of the tower and tree by Milhousen artist Jane Wheatley with the time on the clock at 10:45. I'm not sure why but I always notice the time on the clock. July was done by local artist Chris Copeland in 1986. It's hard to describe but shows how an artist can make a few strokes into an outstanding rendition of our tower and tree.

The January picture was taken at night by Charles Lewis Abrell with only the tower and clock lighted. Ginny said she wishes that the tower could again be lighted at night. I can't tell for sure what time it is. Maybe you can tell me when you see it.

The picture for February is appropriately one with ice on the tree and icicles hanging from the tower. That photo was taken by Greensburg Daily News Editor Adam Huening and the time is 2:30. It looks as though he must have been on the roof of a building on the square to get the picture.

Two of pictures that were postcards have people on the roof of the tower. For April the tower is surrounded by large trees and two people are standing on the roof. The time is 4:40 (I think.) The other one is for October and has eight people standing where the clock should be. It shows how big that clock is when four of the men are standing up and there is still room at the top.

For June there is the postcard with a picture of the tree and tower, the Carnegie Library, the I.O.O.F. Home and a street scene looking towards W. Main Street within the wings of the butterfly. It's fascinating to see the various views.

The calendar is $10 and available at the museum on N. Franklin or at the Greensburg Camera shop on the north side of the square. They will make a fine gift for college kids, and for anyone who once lived here or for people that don't believe in our tree. It's a gift that's on display for a year and then continues to be a keepsake. Each page has holidays, special days, museum hours and exhibits in the museum. For example, the Christmas Open House is Dec. 14 from 1-4 p.m. And the exhibits in December are Mingle w Kringle, the Train Exhibit through December and the Textile Exhibit Room “Stitches in Time.” The calendar helps support the museum and society as do the ornaments that has St. Mary's church on it this year in honor of it's 150th anniversary. I'm sure arrangements can be made to send them to out-of-towners.

I love to hear from readers but am seldom at the Daily News building. You can contact me at patjsmith@verizon.net or at Pat Smith, 122 W. Sheridan, Greensburg, IN 47240.