Thanks for all the memories

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April 29, 2009

Anonymous The Kokomo Tribune Wed Apr 29, 2009, 05:46 PM EDT

In this life, when you share an idea – particularly a good one – others usually expect you to take ownership of it. Try it out. See what happens.

Which is how Dave Granson got involved in the Haynes Apperson Sports Festival 26 years ago.

“I was sitting around one day with [Engel’s Jewelers owner] John Palumbo and [WWKI owner] Don Rice, and I said it would be neat to have a sports festival similar to the White River Park Games,” Granson told us last year, after announcing he would retire as the festival director.

Paul Bradley, Les Strunk and Dick Bronson also helped Granson plan that first festival in 1984. Olympic track star Wilma Rudolph made a visit to the inaugural event, chatting with kids, parents and fans, signing autographs and posing for pictures.

The Sports Festival – Granson’s big idea – drew 2,000 participants in 19 events.

Wednesday, we introduced some of our readers to this year’s Sports Festival director, Dana Neer. Others have been acquainted with Neer for years.

He’s been involved with the festival as a participant, parent and volunteer for almost 20 summers. In addition to running the kids track meet, which he has shepherded for five years, Neer now will oversee all of it – tennis, cycling, golf, martial arts, running, softball, soccer, basketball, horseshoes, and new this summer, kayak and canoe racing at the Kokomo Reservoir.

We wish Neer the best June 26-28. We’re certain he’ll direct another successful event.

But we wanted to thank Granson again – for his generous spirit, for his time and commitment. We wanted to thank him for his particularly good idea and for seeing it to fruition.

Dave, you can’t imagine how many memories you helped create.

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