By Don Steen
Staff Writer n reporter@psci.net
The Spencer County Courthouse hosted the annual Christmas Party last Tuesday for county employees and others who work closely with local governments. The doors were briefly closed for about an hour beginning at noon, but the historic building was positively bustling in the rotunda.
Longtime friends and colleagues shared a meal catered by The Chateau of Mariah Hill, while serenaded by carols performed by the Rebel Singers. The Natural Helpers of South Spencer High School were also on hand to help serve refreshments. Retired Veterans Service Officer Butch Meredith even returned to the Courthouse to lead everyone in the Pledge of Allegiance before the meal.
The annual Courthouse Christmas Party has traditionally been a time to wish retiring colleagues farewell and salute those who work to better their communities. Naturally, it also serves as a way to congratulate the employees who keep the county running. This year was no exception.
Judge Jon Dartt said that while governments in Indianapolis and larger cities have more resources, Spencer County excels because of its public servants.
“Indianapolis has all the bells and whistles,” said Dartt. “But we have the people.”
Those people include attorneys who regularly visit the Courthouse to attend to difficult cases. One such professional, Gloria Rahman, is retiring at the end of the year, although Dartt did his level best to convince her to stick around.
Calling her “The Queen of Guardians Ad Litem”, Dartt commended Rahman for her expertise in navigating these cases and ensuring that vulnerable clients’ best interests are served.
“Gloria is one of the people you can always depend on,” he said.
Dartt made sure to keep her in the spotlight for a bit longer, calling attention to the fact that Rahman once served as a stand-in for actress Geena Davis during the filming of “A League of their Own”, specifically during the cow-milking scene.
He then presented Rahman with a plaque on behalf of the Spencer County Bar Association, and left her with one last plea to put off retirement a bit longer.
“It’s not too late to change your mind!” he joked.
Also honored at this year’s Courthouse Christmas Party was LaVon Case of Gentryville, founder of the Little Yellow House and Neighbors Helping Neighbors. Her initiative began by installing a tiny yellow house on her property and stocking it with food, water and household essentials. Through generous donations, it has since grown to be one of the larger charity organizations in the area.
Indeed, the Little Yellow House has been a regular beneficiary of canned food drives at the Courthouse for the last few years. This time around, however, the Courthouse opted to solicit monetary donations, as it was becoming a bit of an issue to transport each year’s haul. Donations this year totaled $1,722, which will go toward expanding Case’s work.
Dartt noted that the Little Yellow House has no regular staff or administrative costs. All funds donated go directly into goods for those in need throughout the community. This has stayed true even as the organization has grown, Dartt noted.
“It’s really grown into something I hope other counties will replicate,” he said.
Featured Image: The Rebels Singers of South Spencer High School perform carols on the second floor of the Courthouse while county employees gather in the rotunda for their annual lunch and party.
Pictured on the left, retiring attorney Gloria Rahman accepts a plaque from the Spencer County Bar Association recognizing her accomplished career. Pictured on the right, Judge Jon Dartt and Commissioner Jim Seiler present a decorative “check” to LaVon Case, founder of The Little Yellow House in Gentryville. The check represents the $1,772 raised by county employees this year for her charity.
